Bio Balls

N

noseeum

New member
OK, I have been using Bio Balls since my tank has been set up (6 years) in a wet dry system. I know remove the Bio balls. Then what? It is a forty gallon tank with about 50lb of live rock and 15lb of dead live rock. everyone always tells me to remove them, but then what? Any advice is welcomed in this issue.

Regards,
Erick
 
If the dead live rock has been in the tank for a while, it`s now live again. That puts you at 65lbs, which is plenty of biofiltration for a 40 gallon. You won`t need to replace the bioballs. Maybe a filter sock...skimmer if you don`t have one.
 
I would advise that you remove them a little at a time. Over the course of a couple weeks maybe. Are you having issues with nitrates at all? If so than the balls may be the culprit. But either way if they have been in the system for a long time than removing them slowly will just make sure you dont shock the system. Sometimes sudden drastic changes to an existing system can have detrimental effects
 
First, welcome to RC! Sorry, I don't have the fancy graphic handy.

To answer your question, probably nothing. However, it depends on your bio load so you'll probably need to give us some more info.

I agonized over this decision 20 years ago when I pulled the bio balls out of my full on reef tank back then. (Damn I'm getting old.) But I digress....

I had a 75 gal tank with probably 150lbs of live rock. Not a HUGE fish load but plenty of fish and corals. I removed the bio balls and waited for everything to crash. Nothing happened. It was like an early Y2K. Non-event.

But every tank is different so let us know a little more about your set up and we can advise you better. And I should probably ask, are you having a problem that makes you think you should remove them?
 
Last edited:
Mandosh said:
If the dead live rock has been in the tank for a while, it`s now live again. That puts you at 65lbs, which is plenty of biofiltration for a 40 gallon. You won`t need to replace the bioballs. Maybe a filter sock...skimmer if you don`t have one.
Click to expand...

I use a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer, it works really well with my system too.
 
manchreef7 said:
I would advise that you remove them a little at a time. Over the course of a couple weeks maybe. Are you having issues with nitrates at all? If so than the balls may be the culprit. But either way if they have been in the system for a long time than removing them slowly will just make sure you dont shock the system. Sometimes sudden drastic changes to an existing system can have detrimental effects
Click to expand...

I have been having a small issue with nitrate, but big issue with algae in the tank that has not been an issue before. I was planing on removing them slowly over about three months.
 
CyclistMT said:
First, welcome to RC! Sorry, I don't have the fancy graphic handy.

To answer your question, probably nothing. However, it depends on your bio load so you'll probably need to give us some more info.

I agonized over this decision 20 years ago when I pulled the bio balls out of my full on reef tank back then. (Damn I'm getting old.) But I digress....

I had a 75 gal tank with probably 150lbs of live rock. Not a HUGE fish load but plenty of fish and corals. I removed the bio balls and waited for everything to crash. Nothing happened. It was like an early Y2K. Non-event.

But every tank is different so let us know a little more about your set up and we can advise you better. And I should probably ask, are you having a problem that makes you think you should remove them?
Click to expand...


Light fixture has 2-36" T-5 (on for 8 hrs)
1- Hydor Koralia Evolution 750 Circulation Pump
10- Red Leg Hermit Crabs
2- Astrea Snail
1- Cleaner Shrimp
1- Scooter Blenny
1- Green Clown Goby
1- False Percula Clownfish
1- Lawnmower Blenny

I have one small red crab that came as a hitch hiker, don't know what kind, that is in the sump. I don't really have a big load. I feed every other day. I hope this helps.
 
noseeum said:
I have been having a small issue with nitrate, but big issue with algae in the tank that has not been an issue before. I was planing on removing them slowly over about three months.
Click to expand...

I don't think you need to go so slowly in removing the bio balls. Maybe three weeks.
Try adding a fuge, DSB, Cheato, and carbon dosing.
Vinegar dosing dropped my nitrate from 100+ down to completely undetecable. I also have a skimmer, fuge, Cheato, DSB and lots of flow.
 
bif24701 said:
I don't think you need to go so slowly in removing the bio balls. Maybe three weeks.
Try adding a fuge, DSB, Cheato, and carbon dosing.
Vinegar dosing dropped my nitrate from 100+ down to completely undetecable. I also have a skimmer, fuge, Cheato, DSB and lots of flow.
Click to expand...

Sorry I do have a deep sand bed (about 4") in the tank.
 
Most reef keepers have many nutrient export methods other than what I suggested earlier you could also use GFO and GAC. I run Black Diamond GAC every two weeks for about two weeks.
 
I have bio balls in my tank and i gotta say... i haven't had a problem yet with them! I have a lot of liverock as well as a DSB. Perhaps that is why i have never had an issue....
 
After 6 years of use, you are going to blame them now for a nuisance algae problem? This issue would have arisen much sooner then 6 years if in fact they are your problem which is doubtful, have you kept them clean every 6 months or so? What are your phosphate levels like?
 
karsseboom said:
That's because you have never had a real Skimmer so you don't know what real gunk really is.
Click to expand...

I have used Top Fathom Venturi Skimmers in the past on a 125 gallon fish only with live rock, I also use a OCT-DNWB200 "“ Reef Octopus 8″ Recirculating Skimmer on my 180 reef tank. I do think I know what skim mate is!
 
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