Live Rock And Bio Balls

[ILuvTropicalFish]

I saw some discussion on another forum on the need for bioballs. I don't understand all this well enough to quote all I read. Those contributors were of the opinion that bioballs are old school.

However, it goes back to the original question in this thread. Why do you need bioballs if you have live rock? Isn't the live rock supposed to do the same thing? Furthermore, in my setup, I have a filter that screens the initial water that flows down to the sump. There is another layer of a finer filter material before it actually gets too the bioballs. I personally wonder if there is still too much excess food and waste sitting on the bioballs and I wonder if they ever are actually able to process it all. I wonder if some of the other equipment that has come out does not do as much or more than bioballs can do. For instance, the protein skimmer has come a long way. There are so many innovations and techniques that have been discovered to make this hobby more successful. So maybe bioballs are old school?

What do you think?

 

[CageUK]

Well many of the marine tanks that are running today are running with live rock only (without bio balls). I also have some filter floss to take out some of the larger suspended particles.
I wash these on a regular basis to get rid of the gunk and I also make sure I wash them out in tap water to kill off any of the bacteria as a precaution to the 'nitrates' issue. This leaves the live rock to deal with the ammonia/nitrites without interference from the floss. I have a high enough nitrates reading as it is so don't want to risk more.
A bit OTT maybe. I don't mind a little paranoia sometimes, it breaks the monotony

 

[DarrenUnwin]

What convincing arguments are these? I am yet to see as inlge convincing argument that they cause increased nitrates unless you also remove nitrate export on their sintallation or you do not maintain the tank correctly.

I guess I did not make my point. The theory is that bioballs do not help nitrates that they actually may interfere with nitrate removal. I have done weekly water changes. I test my water regularly with fresh test kits. I have had my lfs test them as well. I have used media that is supposed to remove nitrates. I have fed my fish less. There is no food waste. In five minutes or less, all food is consumed. I am to more advanced techniques and theories to try to get nitrates down. I don't know that I that I can prove the theory one way or the other yet, but in my tank it seems that it may be worth a try, since no other methods seem to be working. I will start a new thread when I finally succeed in lowering my nitrates.

Sorry Clarky, did not mean to take over the thread. I suggest you check into it and see if the evidence makes sense to you.

No problem . I have found this all very interesting . This marine hobby is the nuts !!

Its the best hobby you can have that doesnt involve illegal substances

 

[andywg]

I saw some discussion on another forum on the need for bioballs. I don't understand all this well enough to quote all I read. Those contributors were of the opinion that bioballs are old school.

Indeed, they have fallen out of favour with those that follow the Berlin method.

However, it goes back to the original question in this thread. Why do you need bioballs if you have live rock? Isn't the live rock supposed to do the same thing?

Because live rock is not as good at processing ammonia and nitrite as bioballs in a well set up trickle tower. Now, in a reef set up this is not that important as people tend to have a very low stocking density to try and keep nutrients down. Once you get into a predatory tank with messy eaters (such as puffers, porkies or sharks) then the bioballs become a better option than trying to filter the whole thing with live rock.

Similarly, if you have fish that need an open expanse of sand then bioballs help by not filling up the display tank as live rock will in a reef.

Furthermore, in my setup, I have a filter that screens the initial water that flows down to the sump. There is another layer of a finer filter material before it actually gets too the bioballs. I personally wonder if there is still too much excess food and waste sitting on the bioballs and I wonder if they ever are actually able to process it all.

Have a look at the bioballs. If they are covered in physical waste then you may have to rinse them. If they are clean then I wouldn't worry.

I wonder if some of the other equipment that has come out does not do as much or more than bioballs can do. For instance, the protein skimmer has come a long way.

The protein skimmer still does exactly what it has been doing since it was used alongside bioballs - taking out hydrophobic dissolved organic compounds from the water before they can break down into nitrogenous waste.

There are so many innovations and techniques that have been discovered to make this hobby more successful. So maybe bioballs are old school?

What do you think?

They are not really old school, they just have a slightly different way of working and different maintenance procedures to the Berlin method (light stocking, LR and skimmer) in that you have to perform periodic maintenance on them.

Bioballs certainly have their place in a marine fish tank. The reason many people don't see that is because they can't fathom that someone might not want to keep a reef with corals or because they don't understand the concept of performing maintenance on their filter.

 

[CLARKY]

Thank you for all your comments on my post re bio balls and live rock .

I have another question which i did create a new post for but sadly didnt get many replies.

My LFS has advised me to use a phosphate remover ( to assist the live rock ,i think!! )

can someone explain what this product does exactly . concerned my LFS are boosting there sales , due to my lack of knowledge.

I was originally told to use activated carbon as my chemical filteration .

What chemical filteration would people suggest for my system FOWLR and Bio BALLS !!!!!!

 

[andywg]

Higher than desired levels of phosphates have been shown to inhibit coral growth.

In a FOLWR phosphates simply aren't an important feature so I wouldn't bother.

A Phosphate remover is a media which binds to phosphates and removes them from the water column.

I personally wouldn't add carbon as most of the reading I have seen of it points to it working for a few days at best and then basically just sitting there and after a water change releasing what it has adsorbed back into the water column (unless you change it with every water change).

 

[CLARKY]

Thank you !!

Shall i just leave the filteration to my bio balls , live rock and water changes ? and not worry about chemical or other filteration ideas ?

 

[ILuvTropicalFish]

Thank you !!

Shall i just leave the filteration to my bio balls , live rock and water changes ? and not worry about chemical or other filteration ideas ?

Yes, that is all you need with a FOWLR setup. Watch your water parameters and your fish and so your water changes and you will be just fine.