When is time to remove Bio-Balls?

[scooterbundy]

When is time to remove the Bio-Balls from the sump? 110 Gallon Reef up and running for 1 yr now. 110 lb live rock and sand bed. When is it a good idea to remove the bio-balls and what is the long term benefit. I haven't had any Nitrate problems, the usual parameters in the tank are <5. If the bio-balls are removed do you replace it with live rock? Also, heard about putting calerpa in the sump to help cut down on Nitrate, but doesn't that need light? Thanks Mike

 

[Acronana06]

you are correct on all your assumptions I would remove them asap and put some liverock or sand in there if you go with calerpa get a decent light

 

[Kirin1]

Yes, ditch the balls, but do it bit by bit. There's LOTS of bacteria on there, and you'll want to let the rest of the population take up the additional load slowly.

 

[scooterbundy]

See, the problem lies, where the aquarium is set up. It is in my living room (which is cool), the filter is in the stand (okay where else would it be) LoL. there is not a lot of room to work with and the wet dry is semi enclosed (room for pad to be taken out). The top doesn't come off fully, so basically I am looking at somewhat of a project. At this point what I am asking is-------Is it worth it, also I don't really want to put another light inside the cabinet to grow plants. If I had to do it all over again I would not have purchased this type of Aquarium, but too late now. So what are the pro's and con's here. Oh the other thing is right now with the canopy everything is enclosed which is nice. I really don't want to have the sump open-----wife would kill me thinking of what could and would get out onto the floor. thanks

 

[Kirin1]

Is it worth it, also I don't really want to put another light inside the cabinet to grow plants.

Refuguims are great, but optional. Keep in mind that Macros don't need super-duper lighting, a cheap PC screw-in bulb in one of those clamp-on reflectors would do fine.

JMO, but I'd say just run it as a plain sump. You could add some LR there, but is not essential. The thing about the bio-balls is that as they age they tend to get clogged/coated with goo, making a nitrate factory. Periodically changing 1/4 of the balls w/fresh ones keeps this to a min. Just like any other filter media, they need changing/cleaning (never all of them at once). Of course, if you've had no water quality issues at this point, you may not need to fix want ain't broke.