BioBalls Bad?

[Gutter19]

So I'm getting re-acclimated into the hobby after a decade off, and am in need of some guidance please.

I've had a BioCube 29 set up since Christmas and did nothing to the filtration system, stock BioBalls, a filter pad and a sponge. I did however, add the Coralife skimmer and a UV sterilizer.

Lately I've heard from a few people that the BioBalls are a poor choice, and outdated. Is there any validity to this? I've also heard that the MarinePure balls area good choice.

Thank you very much, I look forward to joining the community.

 

[dakoop]

Bioballs can be a huge source of nitrates if not properly maintained.

 

[human]

Bio balls can collect detritus that will eventually break down causing issues unless regularly cleaned.

 

[Gutter19]

OK, thank you very much for your responses. Have a great day.

 

[brandon429]

interesting fact

live rock not cleaned correctly will produce more nitrate than bioballs, 100% opposite of common thought. I like what is written so far, that which is cleaned isn't a nitrate factory.

 

[Gutter19]

Great link, thanks. I don't remember ever having a source like this with my old tank.

 

[MikeyAl]

Bioballs can be a huge source of nitrates if not properly maintained.

Agreed. I prefer to have filter sock (changed every 3-4 days) and a skimmer. Less chance of creating high nitrates.

 

[Liquidangel22]

On a side note, don't do what I did and take all of them out at once to clean them and siphon out of the middle chamber. Apparently I "overcleaned" and threw the system into a mini cycle thus crashing the whole tank. Now I clean about a third of them per water change.

 

[pablue]

i use a mix of bio balls and cylinders in my nano reef without an issue. I like lightly rinse them and suck out the back compartment every so often but that's it. I will say that if you over feed or have a nitrate problem I would look there first for the problem. If you want to avoid it just get on a good cleaning cycle. Also putting a filter sock in front of them really helps alot

 

[Gutter19]

Thank you for the heads up on that, I was planning on doing 1/2 at time, would have been bad.

Last question, do you put some sort of carbon bag in your BioCube? If so, where? Thank you

 

[Liquidangel22]

Thank you for the heads up on that, I was planning on doing 1/2 at time, would have been bad.

Last question, do you put some sort of carbon bag in your BioCube? If so, where? Thank you

I have purigen and carbon in chamber 1, bioballs in chamber 2, but I'm seriously considering turning chamber 2 into a fuge, I just haven't decided yet. If I do then I'll be taking the bioballs out in VERY slow increments and add some extra filtration to chamber 3 while I remove them to balance out the removal to setup period.

 

[Sabellafella]

So I'm getting re-acclimated into the hobby after a decade off, and am in need of some guidance please.

I've had a BioCube 29 set up since Christmas and did nothing to the filtration system, stock BioBalls, a filter pad and a sponge. I did however, add the Coralife skimmer and a UV sterilizer.

Lately I've heard from a few people that the BioBalls are a poor choice, and outdated. Is there any validity to this? I've also heard that the MarinePure balls area good choice.

Thank you very much, I look forward to joining the community.

I dont kno if its just me but ill forever still use a handfull of bioballs in all my tanks lol, basically they are so good at processing ammonia to the point were live rock cant thoroughly process the ammonia n nitrate quick enuff. But keep it clean and dont use a whole chamber filled with them, atleast toss some lr in the back with it also . welcome to the community

 

[Gutter19]

Thank you for the feedback. I've never had a problem with the BioBalls in the past, but there have been so many changes since I've been away.

I love having access to a thriving community now, and not just a guy at the LFS who has an agenda.

One other new thing I'm really excited about is the "Aquarimate" app. Highly recommend it. I have no affiliation, just find it helpful.

 

[Darryl]

dump the bioballs and go InTank filter and protein skimmer
29 biocube
1) gutted the lights installed 3 true lumen pro fusion and 3 trulumen pro 455 deep water blue controlled with current usa pro ramp controller
Chamber one
Heater
Chamber Two
2)removed stock filter and bio balls
3) installed IN TANK media basket and running
Floss top shelf
purigen middle shelf
chemipure blue bottom
4) Tunze DOC9001 skimmer
Chamber Three
5)IM desktop running phosguard
6)Tunze Nano Osmolator
7) upgraded to MJ1200 return pump Hydor flow rotating deflector
8)Tunze 6040 nano stream and controller Back right side
9) Hydor nano 565 Back left side

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[Liquidangel22]

wow... and for those of us who prefer simplicity to modding our tanks into transformers...

 

[Dextereef]

My first tank was a 14 biocube and I eventually switched out the bioballs for the intank media tower. The bioballs were doing just fine I just got tired of cleaning them...totally me being a lazy reefer. I used purigen and chemipure for chemical filtration and pads for mechanical filtration. I currently use the marinepure ceramic balls in the sump of my 120g. Just like the bioballs they get covered with gunk (mulm) and need to be siphoned every now and then. The mulm, in moderation, is actually good food for corals. I also agree with the above comment about live rock. If you do not blow them off periodically they can trap detritus and leach bad organics back into the water column. I feel you will find success with just about any setup. It's the maintenance routine that will determine your the level of success. Good luck and welcome back !

 

[brandon429]

agreed to all

 

[Gutter19]

That sounds like a great setup. Really appreciate all of the advice.

I agree that maintenance is key to a successful tank. Kind of like exercise, not really enjoyable, but necessary.