Freaking Out- Calm a Newbie Down

hmspradlin

hmspradlin

New member
Alright- today is the day... I'm going to start adding water. Well realistically tomorrow is the day because I'm going to start mixing the water this evening. But I need some advice on setting up my sump-

Okay- its a bioball trickle filter (ive been so confused on this cause it seems like they get called all kinds of stuff- wet/dry, trickle etc)

I had someone suggest I replace the bioballs with a sock (I thought this was a good idea) and my husband is adamant that it's not (this was suppose to be my thing.. ) So why is it better to run a sock than bioballs, other than bioballs are known to be "nitrate factories" and don't allow the full process to happen, as in no release of nitrate gas.

Also, good point that's made- if theres a power outage or pump issue when the filter stops running water over the balls, theres nothing to keep the good bacteria to die off. So is that why some people recommend putting rubble in there instead of bioballs? What about those marinepure spheres? If you put rubble in there do you have to have a light?

Also, how can I clean live rock again? I got some that needs to be cleaned.. acid...forgot what kind.

Sorry for the mild freaking out, but I'm feeling overwhelmed and just want to start this out right.
 
you can use bioballs in saltwater tanks but you'll have more maintenance and it's a less preffered method of filtration, it's much easier replacing a filter sock every day or every other day then cleaning out 1/3-1/2 your bioballs once a week, this is where people have issues as they don't clean out the bioballs and excess nutrients build up and cause problems down the road
 
Bioballs have fallen out of favor for reef tanks due to nitrates and you make a good point about power outages. Bioballs are excellent at breaking down ammonia so they are still used in some fowlr tanks ( I think).

Remember that every tank is different and you need to find what works for you. Filter socks and/or submerged rubble are both viable. If you plan on going full reef at some point I would ditch the Bioballs now. Light for the rubble is optional; you do not want light on your equipment like the return pump or skimmer.

The acid you are looking for is muratic DILUTED. 10 parts water to 1 part acid.

Don't freak out, just go slow. Don't add any critter too early.
 
MJNTWise said:
Bio balls is bad for saltwater.....Filter socks Good....Bio balls will collect bad stuff that will turn into No 3 and po4. So if you are planing on keeping any type of coral then X the Bio balls. If you havn't read this page please do.....http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074 I know its a lot of reading But it will keep you from making a BIG mistake.

Matt
Click to expand...

I've read that so many times my face is blue lol. But thanks! I refer to it daily. It kinda sucks though cause some are 100's of pages long and I feel like I might miss the answer I'm looking for in it ya know?

aguila88psi said:
you can use bioballs in saltwater tanks but you'll have more maintenance and it's a less preffered method of filtration, it's much easier replacing a filter sock every day or every other day then cleaning out 1/3-1/2 your bioballs once a week, this is where people have issues as they don't clean out the bioballs and excess nutrients build up and cause problems down the road
Click to expand...


But aren't the sock vs. bioballs two different types of filtration? Can you reuse socks? like wash them out or something in some old tank water?

I understand the sock will let the nitrate turn to gas and complete the cycle of things vs. the balls wont.. but how does the sock host good bacteria? it's such a small surface area compared to all those bioballs?
 
Yes, two different types of filtrations.

Yep, reuse socks, I have about 15 filter socks and change them out every other day so once a month I stick them in the washer with a little bit of bleach then air dry for 1-2 days and then they are ready for use again. Google "filter sock cleaning reef" and you'll get other methods of washing the filter socks.

The benificial bacteria is in the rocks :) no need for bioballs, the general rule of thumb is 1lb rock per gallon of water but I have ~2lbs of rock per gallon of water in my system.
 
aguila88psi said:
Yes, two different types of filtrations.

Yep, reuse socks, I have about 15 filter socks and change them out every other day so once a month I stick them in the washer with a little bit of bleach then air dry for 1-2 days and then they are ready for use again. Google "filter sock cleaning reef" and you'll get other methods of washing the filter socks.

The benificial bacteria is in the rocks :) no need for bioballs, the general rule of thumb is 1lb rock per gallon of water but I have ~2lbs of rock per gallon of water in my system.
Click to expand...

But I'm just now building my tank and starting it and will out have about 14 lbs of base rock and I guess im going to buy a piece of live rock to go in as well. I planned on adding rock a long the way...?
 
On the question of the marinepure spheres. These are fantastic and do the same job as live rock just much smaller. I run one of the 8x8x4 blocks in my 40b with a 30g sump bare bottom and almost no rock and my system has no N03 or P04 issues. I am setting up a new 300g tank and i am going to use 4 of these blocks. I will only use rock only for looks. I am not sure why these Marine pure blocks and spheres are not in everyones tanks. Everyone I know that has used them love them.
I use bio balls in my 8g nano and they do a good job but I take them out every couple weeks and clean them which is a pain in the ---. I am going to get some of the spheres to replace them. They sell them at BRS but if you search Marinepure you will find the manufacture. They sell them for about 1/2 price on there site as compared to BRS
Do your self a favor and dont use the bio balls. Or use then to start with your cycle as they will do a great job to start a tank but then remove them and go with socks
 
You can add rock along the way as your bioload increases but I wouldn't recomend it. Adding either dry or live rock is a double edge sword. If you add live rock you'll be subjecting your reef to whatever is "alive" or dying in the rock. If you add dry rock there could be die off and could potentially start a mini cycle in the tank again also excess nutrients and minerals could be released causing other issues. It's best to start out with all the rock that you'll need then to add more down the road.

I'm providing this information not to discourage you but so you have the information to hopefully guide you in the more correct route to take.
 
aguila88psi said:
You can add rock along the way as your bioload increases but I wouldn't recomend it. Adding either dry or live rock is a double edge sword. If you add live rock you'll be subjecting your reef to whatever is "alive" or dying in the rock. If you add dry rock there could be die off and could potentially start a mini cycle in the tank again also excess nutrients and minerals could be released causing other issues. It's best to start out with all the rock that you'll need then to add more down the road.

I'm providing this information not to discourage you but so you have the information to hopefully guide you in the more correct route to take.
Click to expand...

I had planned on QT'ing any live rock that I wanted to add along the way or cure any base rock as well. Wouldn't that prevent a mini cycle or die off? Well I mean prevent in the DT
 
hmspradlin said:
I've read that so many times my face is blue lol. But thanks! I refer to it daily. It kinda sucks though cause some are 100's of pages long and I feel like I might miss the answer I'm looking for in it ya know?




But aren't the sock vs. bioballs two different types of filtration? Can you reuse socks? like wash them out or something in some old tank water?

I understand the sock will let the nitrate turn to gas and complete the cycle of things vs. the balls wont.. but how does the sock host good bacteria? it's such a small surface area compared to all those bioballs?
Click to expand...

Just so we're clear, the sock doesn't help break down anything. All the sock does is filter out particulate waste that would otherwise have to be broken down by the bacteria in your system. That's why as Pedro suggested you need to change out the socks frequently, otherwise there is little point in running them.
 
sirrealism said:
On the question of the marinepure spheres. These are fantastic and do the same job as live rock just much smaller. I run one of the 8x8x4 blocks in my 40b with a 30g sump bare bottom and almost no rock and my system has no N03 or P04 issues. I am setting up a new 300g tank and i am going to use 4 of these blocks. I will only use rock only for looks. I am not sure why these Marine pure blocks and spheres are not in everyones tanks. Everyone I know that has used them love them.
I use bio balls in my 8g nano and they do a good job but I take them out every couple weeks and clean them which is a pain in the ---. I am going to get some of the spheres to replace them. They sell them at BRS but if you search Marinepure you will find the manufacture. They sell them for about 1/2 price on there site as compared to BRS
Do your self a favor and dont use the bio balls. Or use then to start with your cycle as they will do a great job to start a tank but then remove them and go with socks
Click to expand...

Do you have to take the spheres out and clean them? Do they need a light like liverock would in a ref.?
 
hmspradlin said:
Do you have to take the spheres out and clean them? Do they need a light like liverock would in a ref.?
Click to expand...

I have 3 of the big blocks in my systems, and as far as I know they do not require cleaning and they definitely don't require light.
 
I have a filter bag filled with seachem matrix, similar to the biospheres and ceramic blocks. Every other water change I swish the filter bag back and forth outside the sump in the old water to remove excess build up, probably a good idea to do at least once a month.
 
Anbosu Is right. No cleaning unless they get clogged and no light. i will admit that i used to not run a sock and my block is in my first chamber of mu sump and mine did clog up once but when I went back to using a sock no more issues. Just want good flow around the blocks or spheres
 
So I haave bioballs in there right now. Could I start it up w bioballs and do a slow conversion to the spheres? There's nothing in the tank.. It would be while it was cycling. I understand this could prolong the cycling process. Would this be ok? Also, do you HAVE to run a heater during cycle?
 
Yeah, there are many routes you can take to the finish line. Requiring a heater would really depend on the house temp and tank usage in watts. I would recomend one anyway, Florida can get pretty cold late in the winter. For the purpose of cycling you'll want to be in the 78-82°F range, if your tank runs that temperature range without a heater then your fine. If it runs on the cold side then a heater would be a good investement. For a faster cycle stick to the 80-82°F. I think you can go up to 86°F during cycling but it can be more risky if you happen to have live critters in there.
 
I'm just completely curious as to why you don't just completely get rid of the bioballs right now? Im not sure how much rock you have in there but I wouldn't even mess with the bioballs. You can get one of the caramic blocks directly from MarinePure for $67.99 w/free shipping. I have a 75g with a 25g sump (so around 80-85 gallons total) and I have almost no rock in my display tank but I have an 8x8x4 block in my sump. I really think you should just ditch the bioballs before you even get the tank running.
 
CrazyEyes said:
I'm just completely curious as to why you don't just completely get rid of the bioballs right now? Im not sure how much rock you have in there but I wouldn't even mess with the bioballs. You can get one of the caramic blocks directly from MarinePure for $67.99 w/free shipping. I have a 75g with a 25g sump (so around 80-85 gallons total) and I have almost no rock in my display tank but I have an 8x8x4 block in my sump. I really think you should just ditch the bioballs before you even get the tank running.
Click to expand...

Since you know who I got the tank from, did you ever see that sump? If I go without the bioballs now, and I can't get my marine pure for another two weeks, how will that work with cycling my tank? The rock pieces I have now are dry base rock. I got a few pieces of live rock for someone but found a fireworm on them and am tempted to not even use em. Scare the hell out of me.
 
I'm with Crazyeyes. Ditch the bio balls completely. I don't use anything in my sump but a sock, chaeto for nitrate removal, and rock. (Skimmer too, but that doesn't count) Change the sock out once every two days and you won't ever have an issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
My dream of a fleece roller
Replies
2
Views
388
SantaMonica
S
rrrrob
Thoughts on Purigen?
Replies
11
Views
535
alejandrodia
A
Z
New lps frags - 1 day not doing well
Replies
16
Views
2K
Reefing102
Reefing102
T
I'm confused...
Replies
12
Views
436
wvned
wvned
E
What's Old is New Again
Replies
2
Views
213
Uncle99
Uncle99
Back
Top