Bio Balls Look Really Nasty and Clogged Up - Should I Clean Them?

reefgirl-

regarding the bioballs that you are removing, how is that working for you? How many are you taking out daily, weekly? What are you going to put in that section of the sump? Are you going to use a filter sock for the water to drain through from your display?

Last but not least, do you have any pics of your sump setup. I am trying to decide the best way to fit my sump and the remote DSB underneath my display, but it is a pretty tight fit.

PS. I would definitly go with another reef tank over the FOWLR. I personally am more captivated by corals than fish.
 
I am being kind of wussy in the removal process, only about 5 balls a week...I'm not really in a hurry. I did clean out a lot of the nastiness (big chunks of poo in the bio balls) and the nitrates have not gone back over 10ppm since then.

I might put some live rock in there. I'm so limited in space- like you, it's hard to decide what to do really. I will take some pics as soon as I can, but it's pretty straightforward, just a sump with two pumps and a big protein skimmer shoved in to the right side and bio balls on the left. I just got a uv sterilizer but I haven't even attempted to squeeze it in yet...

I know this is dumb, but what's a filter sock? I have always kept one of those 1-2" thick blue and white filter/foam things on the very top of the balls so the water goes through that first. I was thinking I would continue to do that if I put pieces of LR in there. It would be nice to get my heater out of the tank and into the sump, maybe I can figure that out. My heater is soo long though, I don't know.

I'm definitely going with another reef tank, actually two more!!
;)
 
I hear you when it comes to being a wussy. I have been debating about removing my bioballs for about three months now.

I have seen numerous tanks that have removed the bioballs and they used a filtersock as opposed to having the water drain through the blue floss. Here is a link of a picture of my sump. It is the slimline 60 model. I am currently using the blue filter floss as well.
http://www.proclearaquatics.com/wetdry.html

What I was considering was removing the white plastic peice and have the soft plumbing drain directly on the live rock through the filter sock. Here is a picture of a filter sock.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage.aspx?PageAlias=filter_media_sock

As far as your heater. Get that out of you display. your tank is too beautiful to have that showing. I had my heater in my display until I found this site and started asking questions. Since then I have my heater in my sump and my tank looks more sleek. I had to put my heater at a 45 degree angle in order for it to fit though.

I will post pics of my tank on this thread shortly, just waiting to get the cord that attaches from my camera to the CPU.

I am so jealous that you are getting another two tanks. Your reefer addiction is obviously consuming you.
 
yeah, it's bad. lately I'm not sure what I'm more addicted to, the tanks or this site!! the tanks, definitely the tanks...

I'm getting a 24 G nano for my bedroom, I'm so excited (that will be the third one). And the second one I already have in the works, with awesome live rock and lights and such, but it's an old 55 gallon and it's got a lot of little scallops in the glass, so I'm insanely nervous about it. I am shopping for a replacement, maybe I'll go 75 gallon...maybe 90...or 125....Oh No! I think I need some sort of 12 step program!!
 
i have a very small narrow section in my sump that has about 20 bio balls between two sponges....when I tried to removed them (like only 1 or 2 a week) I got this thick scum on the top of my tank that I couldn't get rid of and it pretty much crashed me...so I put the balls back in and no more scum.....I think they have me handcuffed to them!!!!!
 
vickreyreef-

Now I am nervous. I had this all planned out for this weekend. I was going to remove the first bioball on saturday and then remove one on every saturday and Wednesday there on after. I was also going to try to build my remote DSB once I got some more suggestions from reefgirlsara and others of where to possibly place it.

I still think I am going to give it a try, but in the mean time I am going to put up some pics tonight of my tank and sump, if I can figure out how to post them on this thread.

Reefgirlsara- the only thing worse than being a reefer addict is being a broke reefer addict. For some reason I find myself going in more debt yet my tank is continuing to improve. I have decided this is not a hobby but a way of life.
 
well I guess I am an idiot. I cant figure our how to post my pics on this thread. I read the instruction multiple times, but no where on the photo gallery section was there the "upload photo" button like the instructions mentioned.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
sorry i didn't answer sooner, the easiest thing to do- it takes like 5 minutes, is to go to photo bucket.com and create an account and upload you pics ontp their system. It is awesome. Then you can just copy and paste the image code or link or whatever it is and it places the image directly into the thread. If you use this system, well, I never figured it out either, but I put some on the gallery thing, and the file size has to be so small you can't see much.
 
HeHe...Sorry to laugh, but you guys crack me up with the whole bioball thing.....I know how you feel though, I thought the LFS guy was a moron when he said to get rid of them!!! Trust me, it'll be fine. As far as the "space in the sump" why do you need anything there? A filter is sock is basically what it sounds like, it looks like a sock and acts like a filter. What you need to realize is that any kind of filter (sock, floss, sponge, etc.) will filter mechanical debris, but will also be a bacteria breeding ground like the bioballs (which you're trying to get rid of) so whatever you choose to do, keep it clean.

The question about the sump....The sump does a lot. It let's you get stuff out of the main tank (heaters,pumps,blablabla), it acts as a reservoir that increases your total volume of water, gives a place to safely add chemicals, increases the oxygenation and movement of H2O, and all kinds of good stuff. Do you have to spend hundreds of dollars on it? NO!! You can make one from a rubber-maid box!! All it really is, is a box that holds water!!! Do some research and see what you find.

I'm gonna recommend that all of you check out Melev's reefsite, he has a ton of info in simple terms and explains a lot.

Someone posted before about low pH problems. 450 may be little high on the Ca. I think the alk was like 3.5, I'm guessing that's in dKh values, and that's way to low for a reef. You need to add some baking soda (NOT baking powder). This will increase your bicarbonate levels (Increase pH-more alkaline, but it will also bind to Ca to produce calcium carbonate, so you need to watch your Ca levels while making this adjustment). Do a google search for "marine aquarium calculator" and you'll get to a webpage that gives you calculations for additives based on tank size and current levels. Add whatever it tells you, but spread it out over a couple of days, also, don't dose Ca and the baking soda on the same day, or if you do, spread it out 'cause they will rapidly bind and you'll have a snowy effect in the tank for a day or 2 (been there, done that!!).

As far as the DSB bucket idea, it sounds great, but do you really need it? I've never even really heard of anyone using one, and it seems like a project that might be cool, but might also just eat up some time and money. your money may be better spent on more LR or livestock.....Just my opinion. Hope this helps, post some more if you have other questions and don't forget to check the forums, magazines online, and google for info, there's tons of info out there.
 
aquarium006.jpg


I hope this works.

aquarium011.jpg


My sump
 
It worked!!!!!

Kid chill-

The reason why I like the idea of the remote DSB is because how cheap it is. The only cost of the simple project consist of sand and a plastic container. I cant imagine it will cost me more than 10-15 bucks.

Reefrgirl-

I think I am going to get a small nano as well to put in my room. Let me know what you think of my pics and any suggestions will be appreciated.

Also thanks for the photo bucket advice.
 
reeferhabit....where you gonna put the DSB....lol!!! I wouldn't worry about it. Your setup looks fine, and all in all you really don't have that high a bioload. Grow some balls and lose the balls!!! Lol Also, if you want to, you can put some kind of filter media in the area where the balls are, floss or whatever, and you'll get some extra mechanical removal, just keep it cleaned or change it regularly.
 
I agree, the Filter socks are great, but must be washed regularly or your Nitrates will begin to rise again.
I bought a Plant basket (with lot's of holes in it) and just set the Filter floss in there. It was much cheaper than the filter socks.
When it turns brown I pitch it and replace. My nitrates are reading 0.
My DSB bucket sits in my sump, but I have the luxury of a 110 gallon tub in the basement.
If you make the fittings watertight you can put it anywhere behind the tank. You can also find square or rectangle containers to help make it easier to store in tighter places.
Running a pre-filter before the RDSB helps to avoid it becoming a nutrient sink. I feed mine from my refugium.
I will see if I can get some pictures this weekend.
HTH,
Ken
 
Kidchill-

I hear you man, not a lot of room for the remote DSB, but I think I can move things around and have enought space. I might consider putting some LR in the sump where the bioballs would be, and just continue using the filter floss instead of a filter sock idea. I guess it is cheaper and easy to change out filter floss. I also like the play on words,"grow some balls and lose the balls" I assume no pun inteneded.

Marine fish guy-

I am going to run my UV sterilizer into the DSB, I was told that it should be fine with regards to not making it a nutrient sink. I have a seperate pump for my UV sterizer as you probably saw in the picture.

I am thinking that my RDSB will be roughly 3-5 gallons depending on the shape and space. what do you think about the being ran though my UV sterilizer.

Reefgirlsara- Where are you? I wanted to get your input on my tank .
 
I had to go to my grandmother's funeral yesterday. :( And the day/night before I spent putting together an arrangement for her casket with about 300 red roses...

Beautiful tank. I'm jealous. I always love to see other 54 gallons to get ideas of new ways to do my aquascaping. Do your two tangs get along okay? Did you add them at the same time? I have always wanted a blue regal tang, but I was nervous about adding with the yellow tang that came with the tank. He's the only original fish from when I bought this system, everybody else died of a massive outbreak of ich when I moved the tank one time, so I can't get rid of him- he's been through a lot!

I had one idea about your RDSB, I can't tell how far your tank is from the wall, but mine is a good distance (like 7-8 inches I'd say-for the heat from the MH to get out) so If you have at least 6" you may be able to use one of the green water jugs they sell at Wal-Mart for like $7, or something like that, and push it all the way to the back so it won't be visible. I think they hold 5 gallons, and they are tall and thin. I can't remember how thin they are though, so you might not have enough space there for that, but maybe you could find something similar, like a tall thin water container to hold fresh water on a boat, but those are kinda pricey when they're new.

Just a thought. That jug from Wal-Mart may even fit along side your sump, but I doubt it.

What all do you have in your tank- corals and fish? It is very very pretty!!
 
Reefgirlsara-
Sorry to hear about your loss.

My two tangs get along great. They have never had an issue. I did not get them at the same time. I always purchase one livestock at a time. after reading many threads sometimes I wonder if my tank is big enough for both of them though.

Unfortunately I have no room to put the RDSB behind my tank. I have less than 6 inches between the tank and the wall. But I think I can find a container at least 4 gallons to fit underneath. I am going to start this project this weekend, but I am not too sure how to plumb the container. I guess I will reread a RDSB thread.

My stock:
Yellow tang, Blue tang, Cinnanmon clown, Coral Beauty

Green star polyps, Button polyps, Trumpet coral, Colt coral, feather duster, long tentacle anenome, orange plate coral, sandsifting starfish, blood shrimp, sallyfoot crab, 15 snails.

I also have pieces of crystals in my tank.

Any constructive criticism? I am always looking to get knew ideas.

Also, how are you getting so much puple coraline algae?
 
I don't see any problem with the UV sterilizer idea, but I have never used one myself.

I used Uniseals to plumb my RDSB. I drilled one hole an inch higher than the other, although I doubt it really matters.
The important thing is to make sure there is a good amount of water movement to avoid settling of sediment.

My grandma is 93 and my grandpa confided in me that the Doctors say she is declining quickly. I fear it is only a matter of time before I am in your situation. I know it will be a very sad day when the times comes. Best wishes in dealing with your loss. May she rest in peace.

Ken
 
Well, good luck with everything. It sounds like you're on the right path. I was thinking about something the other day and maybe this is a stupid question, but don't you already have a DSB in the tank? I would just ditch the balls and check the levels. The balls themselves aren't doing a whole lot for filtration, I promise you, and with the limited space it seems like mixing in another system may just create more work, but that's just my opinion...Just be careful NOT to flood the house!!! :)
 
Kidchill-
My sandbed in the display is only about 1 inch deep. All the sand just always get pushed to the mid front of my tank due to my clownfish. My clown has a bad habit of kicking the sand around.

I will also take pics to show you what I come up with and how it all fits. Might help give reefgirlsara some ideas too on this project.

I just hope my plumbing works for my floors sake.
 
What do you think regarding the two plumbing scenarios.

1. pump-->RDSB-->UV sterilizer-->sump
2. pump-->UV sterilizer-->RDSB-->sump

my best guess would be scenario 1.
 
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