New here... Bioballs?

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

Hello all! I'm new here but have been in the hobby for years.

I have heard that a lot of reef hobbyists have stopped using bioballs and have turned to Berlin style sumps/fuges and I am in need of some of those old, antiquated blue bioballs.

Anybody have any lying around in a grocery bag?

 

[Michael]

okay I will bite-----------why?

 

[Dustin1300]

Don't go this route. Are you wanting a Nitrate factory?

 

[dmarkham]

I have heard you can use them and I have heard you can not use them. I picked up another tank from a guy to have in my home office. He had bio balls with a wet dry system on the tank. His coral looked good. It got me to thinking was almost everyone wrong. So I did my own test over the last 4 months with this tank. Al I did was move the tank and it was already running for over a year. I planned on a small cycle and let that pass before I did my test. Here is the short story.

Bioballs = GHA and other issues. Did this for two months

Replaced bioballs with large piece of liverock = NO GHA and tank is very clean now.

Keep in mind I did not just follow what everyone told me. I tested it for my self and can tell you I have been there. It is better to stay away from the bioballs and not take the chance. Hope this helps.

 

[Wannabeoceangrl]

Not sure where you are, but if you really want to go this route, I have some you can pick up if your close - 43068

 

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

Well I'm in CA, and appreciate the replies, but it is going to be used on a freshwater setup with a 50gal sump. I have large south American fish and the bioload is insane! So nitrates would be great instead of the ammonia or nitrites that are present when I miss a day of waterchanges.

Currently at 50% a week and if I miss a day, it barely starts to show.

I can't use heavy lava rock or anything of that nature because the drip tower would not hold 7g worth of biomedia if it is heavy.

Wannabeoceangrl, how much would you have on hand?

 

[Angel*Fish]

Keep in mind I did not just follow what everyone told me.

Not that there'd be anything wrong with that. Kudos to you and how you worked it out on your own terms, I just wish more people would listen to the good advice. It can save a lot of headache.

 

[Wannabeoceangrl]

.

Wannabeoceangrl, how much would you have on hand?

I'm in Ohio - Probably a little too far for you to come for a bucket full of bioballs

 

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

I would gladly pay shipping if you would be willing to ship as long as it wouldn't be more than buying new ones lol. Are they the blue ones? I have an "A" type personality and want them to match lol, I know that's dumb but I built the sump from scratch and it turned out very well. It would be one of those things I would be proud to show my friends lol

 

[Dustin1300]

Sounds like a valid reason to have bioballs

Too bad your new to the forums as your not yet allowed to see the Selling/Buying/Trading forums!

 

[greeneyed]

Why not just go to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of plastic pot scrubbers?

They are cheap and have alot of surface area. I have them in a couple of my w/d.

 

[Dustin1300]

These sound worse than bioballs:sad2:

 

[greeneyed]

I am referring to his application in a freshwater tank. I am too ignorant to suggest anything to anyone on a saltwater setup.

 

[Dustin1300]

I am referring to his application in a freshwater tank. I am too ignorant to suggest anything to anyone on a saltwater setup.

I was just kidding:spin2:

No worries! My FW days are long gone and never took seriously like I have with my reef addiction!

 

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

Lol I don't even want to see how bad I will get with a reef setup lol. Maybe a FOWLER but a reef tank I would be screwed!

I already have thousands in my main freshwater tank, but then again my fish are huge and eat a whole bunch!

Just my feeding bill for the one tank is well over $200/month keeping them fed.

 

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

Wannabeoceangrl? No reply?