Bioballs and what else?

[kryan13]

I’m kind of restarting my 10g lifegard tank. Never had corals, my fish are gone. All that’s left are 3 nassuris snails, 3 crabs and a brissle worm. I’m taking the opportunity to make sure my tank set up is just right before trying to add anything else back in. In the back I have basically what it came with - the blue bio balls, a heater (added), one piece of biolux that my lfs gave me, the filter sponge that came with the tank and the pump that came with the tank. I’m planning on adding a wave maker. What else would you add or replace in the back that might help this go round?

 

[Screwgunner]

Get rid of the bio balls. Replace with liverock rubble. Or ceramic bio. Plastic bio balls seem to be nitrate factory. Definitely a wavemaker. And at least 10 pounds of liverock.

 

[Screwgunner]

Change water every week gallon a week. And don't forget to feed your coral . At least once a week.

 

[kryan13]

Get rid of the bio balls. Replace with liverock rubble. Or ceramic bio. Plastic bio balls seem to be nitrate factory. Definitely a wavemaker. And at least 10 pounds of liverock.

Thanks. I have live rock too. forgot to mention. I felt like the bio balls weren’t doing anything for me and something more useful could be in that slot.

 

[kryan13]

Change water every week gallon a week. And don't forget to feed your coral . At least once a week.

I do 10% water changes/week regularly and 25% if there’s any ammonia (historically when something has died). And top off with distilled water.

 

[Screwgunner]

You are on the path oh great one.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Marine Pure block
Coral rock pieces and even small pieces of rock which I use
Ceramic bio beads/nuggets

The Key is surface area

 

[CactusReefer]

Bioballs have a small surface area versus the water flow across their surfaces. This results in HIGH gas exchange which results in a more accelerated nitrification process.