Bio ball sump !!!need help!

Ruben's Reef · Oct 29, 2018

!!! Welcome to R2R Tony !!! I second what @Captain Quint said. Better to replace the bio balls for Live rock. For a freshwater tank may that works but for a saltwater or reef tank will be better live rock not only for the BB to live but also to hold some copepods wish is also beneficial for your cleaning crew. .

Instigate · Oct 29, 2018

I converted the wet/dry that came with my second hand tank. Very pleased with the result and it was dirt cheap. Just removed the balls and added a couple baffles.

Tony757 · Oct 29, 2018

Captain Quint said:
Welcome aboard Tony757. You have some amazing rock which will afford several good ways to aquascape for sure.

You mentioned that the tank is in the nitrogen process and with that said it would be the perfect time to remove the bio balls and put some Live Rock and or live rock rubble in the place of the BioBalls. If your tank matures and cycles with the BioBalls you will get to a point where you will want to remove them but you will only be able to remove a little amount of them at a time versus the remove all stage at this point.

Your wet/dry sump is fine but if you bore of it, it would be easy enough to replace.

Thanks for joining and post updates please.

Thank you! I can't wait to add coral I just feel confused so much because every time I ask people if I can do this or that I get a yes you can and then I get a no you can't and then I get the you can but... lol but as for the bio balls your saying just replace it with live rock??? And that's it

JasonK84 · Oct 29, 2018

There is no "right way". That being said there are types of media that provide more surface area for bacteria to grow and populate. The plastic balls work but lack the deep structure to house anerobic bacteria that process the nitrate to nitrogen gas. It really just depends on the bioload you are planning. More fish and heavier feeding will be handled much better with live rock or ceramic media than the plastic bioballs.

Reef-junky · Oct 29, 2018

JasonK84 said:

Where is he taking that shell?

JasonK84 · Oct 29, 2018

Reef-junky said:
Where is he taking that shell?

He was just propped up on it waiting for dinner. He is brave at feeding time and steels chunks from the Picasso trigger!!

JumboShrimp · Oct 29, 2018

Maybe incorporate on or two of these plates, instead of the balls...?

Tony757 · Oct 29, 2018

Instigate said:
I converted the wet/dry that came with my second hand tank. Very pleased with the result and it was dirt cheap. Just removed the balls and added a couple baffles.

Okay so do i have to add a light for the live rock over the sump too?

Instigate · Oct 29, 2018

Nope and you don't really need LR in your sump at all. It's just nice to have as much as possible.

The main source of bacteria would be the rocks in your display. Adding more in the sump is just extra.

Reef-junky · Oct 30, 2018

JasonK84 said:
He was just propped up on it waiting for dinner. He is brave at feeding time and steels chunks from the Picasso trigger!!

I’ve had them before not the most colorful fish but tons of personality. Fun fish to have and a good cleaner.

JasonK84 · Oct 30, 2018

Reef-junky said:
I’ve had them before not the most colorful fish but tons of personality. Fun fish to have and a good cleaner.

I caught mine while on vacation in Galveston. I've got 3.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pic-of-fish-or-other-hand-collected-by-you.480895/

Tony757 · Nov 26, 2018

Update on the sump what do yall think? Do I really need to get rid of all the bio balls especially if I have a refugium right next to it I'm going to add refugium mud and Moss live rock is already in there

Reef-junky · Nov 28, 2018

Tony757 said:
Update on the sump what do yall think? Do I really need to get rid of all the bio balls especially if I have a refugium right next to it I'm going to add refugium mud and Moss live rock is already in there

Honestly the best thing you could do is get rid of the bio balls and put rock there. The use of that stuff died out for a reason.