Bio Balls in media reactor

[Brasileiro561]

What's going on everybody?

So I was thinking about running bio balls in a media reactor as a source of good bacteria to use as needed for quarantine tank. I know I could just put some in a bag and add to my sump but it doesn't look "pretty" I have a peninsula tank with a see through stand so I like to keep thing nice and neat.

I like to plan when I'm adding a new fish and add some bio balls to the system a week + beforehand, but lets be honest lol you never know when you'll find something that catches your eyes.

I never used bio balls as filtration. also my system don't need any extra filtration. I run the clarissa 5000, 3x Brightwell Xport-NO3, skimmer and a nice size refugium, my ICP tests always comes back with low nutrient.

I would like to hear your guys thought. Do you think by adding and removing 1-2 cups off bio balls maybe once per month would throw something off? what if I go longer maybe 3 months before needing them? I was thinking about leaving enough room inside the reactor so they can tumble over and hopefully keep them clean.

 

[Spare time]

Bioballs are one of the least effecting biomedia out today. You could however fill it with seachem matrix (or similar media, matrix is simply cheap and works really well) and run the water though it but dont ever replace biomedia as there is no need and is actually harmful to do so. By the sounds of it, you would most likely be wasting your money be it with good or bad biomedia as you already have plenty plus a skimmer and refugium.

 

[Brasileiro561]

The bio balls won’t be for my tank. It’s just so I can harvest bacteria every time I set up a quarantine tank. I used to use sponge but it collects a lot of detritus. I don’t want to use anything like the matrix bc it’ll absorve the medicines and it’s hard to sterilize.

 

[Spare time]

The bio balls won’t be for my tank. It’s just so I can harvest bacteria every time I set up a quarantine tank. I used to use sponge but it collects a lot of detritus. I don’t want to use anything like the matrix bc it’ll absorve the medicines and it’s hard to sterilize.

Ohhhhh ok! I see what you mean.