Bio balls and QT tanks

[Wrench]

Anyone using bio balls in their QT tanks? I like to use live rock in small isolation tanks for bio filtration but the problems are that you can leave it in during copper treatments and there's no way to clean it. You basically have to throw it away. I've been contemplating the use of bioballs instead but wanted to get some ideas/opinions first. I already use an HOB and a sponge filter in each tank. The problem is that when I begin copper treatment I have to remove the filter pads (because they have carbon in them) which also removes a good deal of bio filtration.

 

[Cujo13]

Anyone using bio balls in their QT tanks? I like to use live rock in small isolation tanks for bio filtration but the problems are that you can leave it in during copper treatments and there's no way to clean it. You basically have to throw it away. I've been contemplating the use of bioballs instead but wanted to get some ideas/opinions first. I already use an HOB and a sponge filter in each tank. The problem is that when I begin copper treatment I have to remove the filter pads (because they have carbon in them) which also removes a good deal of bio filtration.

No not yet. I use the Marineland Pengiun HOB filters with the bio-wheels. To this day no problems with ammonia. For mechanical I have filter pads about 1/4 inch thick that I cut to fit, cheap and can toss them when done.

 

[hedgedrew]

I have bio ball hospital tanks. Sometimes copper or cp or antibiotics surpress or kill bacteria so I'm doing big water changes anyway as if wqs adhoc. But you can get your bacteria used the copper and some antibiotics are ok like kanna and furan esp if you throw some rock in. I'm big fan of it. Very nervous with no biological filter.

 

[ca1ore]

I see no reason that bioballs wouldn't be effective in a QT. They take up a lot of space, though, so I prefer to use the ceramic media.

 

[wooden_reefer]

Anyone using bio balls in their QT tanks? I like to use live rock in small isolation tanks for bio filtration but the problems are that you can leave it in during copper treatments and there's no way to clean it. You basically have to throw it away. I've been contemplating the use of bioballs instead but wanted to get some ideas/opinions first. I already use an HOB and a sponge filter in each tank. The problem is that when I begin copper treatment I have to remove the filter pads (because they have carbon in them) which also removes a good deal of bio filtration.

Bioballs are good to use in QT for fish.

Bioballs are not necessary but sufficient. If you already have them you can use them, but I won't buy it new.

Copper is not an issue at all.

 

[SDguy]

I use the sponge inserts and the ceramic pieces in aquaclear hang-on filters.

 

[caribfan]

I use bioballs in my quarantine tank. They are great because I can keep a handful in the sump of my DT and always have cultured media ready should I need it.

 

[Duke4life]

I've been thinking of this exact same thing. I have roughly 20 floating on 1 side currently in my 10 gal QT I've setup. I know not ideal but why throw out. Do I have enough? Any body else use this method?

 

[hotelbravo]

I was wondering about that too but I imaginged putting them in a mesh pouch with a very small rock to keep them from floating to the top

 

[Duke4life]

I was wondering about that too but I imaginged putting them in a mesh pouch with a very small rock to keep them from floating to the top

What size QT are you doing? How many are you putting in?

 

[hotelbravo]

Just a 10 gallon and I figured id put about 20 bio balls in
I have a 30 gallon I was setting up for a qt but im gonna instead do multple 10s and keep the fish seperated.

 

[Duke4life]

I made it to my LFS store earlier and the bio balls floating have worked, my water checked out great. Now I'm thinking of adding about 40 more or 60 total in the 10 gal to prep for a 20 gal QT I intend to setup as well. This is where I could use some help, a) do I ghost feed like I did before, or b) add some crabs and snails since I do have a cycled tank? I think a) is the best answer since it wouldn't allow any illness to the tank, but I'm a little unsure.