How to remove Bio-balls

[efird1]

I am buying a new 180 gallon tank that has been using bio-balls in the sump for about a year. I would like to remove the bio-balls and go with just the skimmer, refugium, and live rock. I am concerned about just pulling the bio-balls out in one fail swoop. Is there a right way to do this, or does it matter?
I currently have about 150 pounds of live rock in the main display for bio filtration.

 

[poorguy]

I removed my all at the same time when converted from fresh to saltwater tank and modified to have a refugium. From what I know, Bio-balls is a Nitrate factory which is bad for tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've never seen any data on this, but I'd remove the bioballs over a period of about 2 weeks, allowing time for bacteria in other locations to multiply and take up the slack.

 

[efird1]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking also.

 

[Bugger]

Does it really create Nitrate. I`ve seen it used in systems with corals

 

[garygonzales]

ive used bio balls for over 5 years now and never had any problems....

 

[efird1]

Are you using LR as bio filtration also or just the bio-balls?

 

[garygonzales]

both

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Bioballs can contribute to nitrate production in ways that live rock and sand alone will not. Obviously, that isn't a problem if you have adequate nitrate export methods and do not have a nitrate problem. But if you do have such a problem and do have bioballs, there is no reason to not remove them.

 

[efird1]

The fewer factors contributing to nitrate production the better IMO.