Probably a rookie question but.....bio balls for a reef tank?

[Slipstream06]

Is it OK to run bio balls on a reef tank? Or does it increase the nitrites or nitrates?

 

[Bogue Chitto]

I wouldn't use bio balls. IMO they raise nitrates. Rock is better

 

[Sk8r]

Your suspicion is correct: they do let nitrate build up, and most corals really detest nitrate and just won't thrive. SOfties are more ok with it than stony, and hammer (a stony) tolerates it better than candycane (another stony) but ALL corals are happier without a nitrate overload. GO on rock/sand alone, with a moderately good skimmer. That's enough. You don't even need a really potent skimmer unless you're trying sps.

 

[Slipstream06]

OK I'll pull the bio balls after tanks finished cycling. Purchased the tank from a friend who had fish only. Just purchased a vertex 180i on black friday from brs. Should be enough for my 144 gallon tank to convert over to lps and sps, or at least that's what has been recommended.

 

[droog]

I have that skimmer and it ROCKS. Set-and-forget, and very quiet too. Should work well on a 144g.

-droog