Should I use bio balls?

[jayco5]

[Imagine Jerry Seinfeld impersonation]
So what's the deal with these bio balls? Huh? Should I use them? should I ignore them? Should I take them out to dinner? What's "bio" about some plastic spikey balls anyway?

I'm just curious if I should put some in my sump/refugioum. Any suggestions?

[greggnyce]

No need for them, just detritious traps.

[jayco5]

Thanks greggnyce - I just wasn't sure what the deal is with bio balls.

[reefergeorge]

Is it a reef or FO?
I would only use them in very heavily stocked FO tanks.

[jayco5]

They would be for a reef tank. Why use them in a fish only tank?

[greggnyce]

In a fish only tank hjigh nitrates are not an issue, unless they are extremely excessive. High nitrates are bad for corals though. The bioballs trap detritious and that increases nitrates.

[jayco5]

Do they server any beneficial purpose?

[reefergeorge]

Here we go.:)
In heavily stocked FO tanks. The ammonia is the problem, and bioballs are great at changing them into nitrates. Nitrates are not a problem for fish.

[paulallen]

I have never had any problems with my bioballs. Everyone talks about how horrible they are. Unnecessary maybe, but not horrible if you take care of them. I have a filter pad above them and I wash them around in saltwater every couple of months.

[Jay180reef]

HMM, thanks reefergeorge. I learned something today!

[jayco5]

So, what I'm gathering is that at best, they serve no beneficial purpose for a reef tank.

[paulallen]

They increase surface area for the bacteria that progress the nitrogen cycle.

[jayco5]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like my reef tank can live without adding bio balls. I really appreciate everyone's advice.