Bio Balls

[Ajae]

My system has been running for 9 months now I'm thinking of adding bio balls to my sump. Question is where in the sump/chamber will they go in, the return pump or in the bubble trap section?

 

[ReefWreak]

Unless you have done the research and have a very specific reason for adding them, I would highly recommend NOT adding them.

If you do insist on adding them, be sure to add them AFTER a filtration media, so they do not collect any detritus in them.

But I can't stress enough, that you are best off NOT adding them at all.

 

[chimmike]

+1. Don't do it.

just say no! bioballs are old school and proven detriuts/debris/nitrate factories.

 

[scooter31707]

Usually, they would go under some filter media in a wet/dry system where the flow is trickling down over them. I agree bio-balls become nirate factories. About just adding small pieces of rock/rubble of live rock.

 

[ReefWreak]

+1. Don't do it.

just say no! bioballs are old school and proven detriuts/debris/nitrate factories.

They have a time and a place. They are still very helpful in a fish-only tank with bleached coral, as they will provide the biological backbone for a system like that. They are not useful when your system is utilizing liverock and livesand in an appropriately (and even inappropriately, just not EXTREMELY INAPPROPRIATELY) stocked aquarium. There is plenty of surface area on liverock and live sand for nitrification to take place.

Usually, they would go under some filter media in a wet/dry system where the flow is trickling down over them. I agree bio-balls become nirate factories. About just adding small pieces of rock/rubble of live rock.

Honestly, in a tank with a reasonable amount of liverock and live sand, I wouldn't even use rubble, as it will also accumulate detritus, and it's a pain to move it all to siphon out detritus from around it. The accumulation of detritus is the almost invisible bane of the hobby. Utilizing high flow and few places for it to accumulate (or a dedicated settling area/chamber that gets regularly siphoned) is the best way to keep nutrients low.

 

[Ajae]

Ok, so looks like I won't be adding them to the system, it's a 70 gallon with 30 sump. everything is going good now and I just thought they would provide support, but looks like they would do more harm than good. Thanks guys.

 

[Sk8r]

If you need more nitrate processing, there are ways to do that. If you'll specify the parameter you'd like to adjust we can be more specific on what to do.

 

[undbulsu]

I keep the Marine Pure spheres in my sump.

I keep the Marine Pure spheres in my sump.

Mainly to seed my quarantine/hospital tank when I need it. Might be something to look at as opposed to bio-ballshttp://www.cermedia.com/marinepure-products.php