For those who use ceramic bioballs

[Andresnyc93]

Hello everyone,

I have a Fluval evo 13.5 it has been running for 2 years and I’ve changed the filtration system in the back with the InTank chambers and also running uv 24/7.
I’m using poly-pad then followed by ceramic bioballs and then a small fuge with chaeto that goes on when lights go out and yesterday I went to take out some of the chaeto cause it was growing too much and noticed there’s always sponges under them and I’m wondering if anyone just tosses them and then use new ones or do you guys just give it a quick rinse with saltwater.
I also have some Chemi-pure and purigen on second chamber as this is a skimmer-less tank, just wondering if changing the bioballs would have an effect or cause any type of spike. I also have 3 medium sized live rock in the tank.
Thanks in advance!

 

[SlugSnorter]

sponges are fine, why bother with new bioballs?

 

[Andresnyc93]

sponges are fine, why bother with new bioballs?

High no3 levels, I’m guessing the bioballs are holding to most of it cause I never rinse them and I’m changing the poly-pad every 2 days now

 

[SlugSnorter]

High no3 levels, I’m guessing the bioballs are holding to most of it cause I never rinse them and I’m changing the poly-pad every 2 days now

you can rinse them if you feel the need yeah.

heres something I found that maybe could help: https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-clean-dirty-bio-balls-2921273

are you sure its the bioballs? you sure its not overfeeding? you sure your purigen and chemi pure is still good? and have you been doing the weekly WCs?

 

[Andresnyc93]

you can rinse them if you feel the need yeah.

heres something I found that maybe could help: https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-clean-dirty-bio-balls-2921273

are you sure its the bioballs? you sure its not overfeeding? you sure your purigen and chemi pure is still good? and have you been doing the weekly WCs?

Pretty sure cause I’m switching out the purigen and Chemi pure blue every 3 weeks and feeding once a day reef frenzy

 

[SlugSnorter]

Pretty sure cause I’m switching out the purigen and Chemi pure blue every 3 weeks and feeding once a day reef frenzy

how much reef frenzy? and are you doing Water Changes? what is your Nitrate? rinsing the bio balls wont hurt, but it may not be the source of the issue

 

[Andresnyc93]

how much reef frenzy? and are you doing Water Changes? what is your Nitrate? rinsing the bio balls wont hurt, but it may not be the source of the issue

About 1/4 of a tablespoon and I’m doing weekly wc about 25% and currently at 7

 

[SlugSnorter]

About 1/4 of a tablespoon and I’m doing weekly wc about 25% and currently at 7

7 isnt bad, especially for a tank this small. rinsing the bio balls could help a little bit maybe. since nano tanks lack the space for equipment and dilution that larger tanks have its to reach the same low nitrate levels

 

[Andresnyc93]

7 isnt bad, especially for a tank this small. rinsing the bio balls could help a little bit maybe. since nano tanks lack the space for equipment and dilution that larger tanks have its to reach the same low nitrate levels

It’s gotten higher recently, it used to stay around 5 or less so I just wanna get it back down. Will try the rinsing the bioballs this week when I do the WC