Bio Ball Maintainance

[prawdzwr]

How do I clean/service my Bio balls. And how often should I do so.:fun2:

 

[livenow]

Take out a hand full a week and put them in the trash until they are all gone. Then if you want you can put live rock in there or some type of macro algae.

 

[mdntrdr]

I agree

 

[gh0st]

If you keep all your Filter pads and Prefilter sponges clean on a weekly basis, it eliminates most problems all the BioBall Haters point out all the time.

If the balls are getting a bit grungy, pull out about a quarter of them, swish them around in a container of tank water to dislodge debris, and put them back in. Repeat every week or two until all are clean. Viola, clean Bio Balls.

IMHO Live Rock in a WetDry will collect far more detritus, and be much more difficult to clean than any plastic Bio ball.

 

[prawdzwr]

so if I go to live rock I would need to cure? and then how often to clean or exchange them. I live right on the beach of the persian gulf so live rock is not a problem.
Or if I stay with bio balls clean only say 25% at a time?

 

[chadfarmer]

If you keep all your Filter pads and Prefilter sponges clean on a weekly basis, it eliminates most problems all the BioBall Haters point out all the time.

If the balls are getting a bit grungy, pull out about a quarter of them, swish them around in a container of tank water to dislodge debris, and put them back in. Repeat every week or two until all are clean. Viola, clean Bio Balls.

IMHO Live Rock in a WetDry will collect far more detritus, and be much more difficult to clean than any plastic Bio ball.

i have cleaned all the balls in one day at a fish store

but what he said is good to

 

[prawdzwr]

Thanks All

 

[KEITHHAYS_2000]

If you keep all your Filter pads and Prefilter sponges clean on a weekly basis, it eliminates most problems all the BioBall Haters point out all the time.

If the balls are getting a bit grungy, pull out about a quarter of them, swish them around in a container of tank water to dislodge debris, and put them back in. Repeat every week or two until all are clean. Viola, clean Bio Balls.

IMHO Live Rock in a WetDry will collect far more detritus, and be much more difficult to clean than any plastic Bio ball.

This is good point, I would add that if you are putting live rock in a w/d (not fully submerged), you are essentially using the the Bio ball method. The bio-balls just look like rocks. Not really a bad thing, but again slightly different method of filtration with different strengths and weaknesses within the nitrogen cycle.