Bioballs

[CMurry4]

are bioballs good to use in a sump? is not what other media and i also know live rock needs to be in the sump also

[Reef_Paddy]

LR doesn't need to be in the sump. People put it there for extra filtration, but you need to ensure it doesn't become a detritus trap.

Anything with extra surface area for bacteria to colonize one. Bioballs are one solution, as are ceramic rings. You put a fuge in there or a deep sand bed.

[CMurry4]

so bioballs are good everyone says they are bad?

[rivvir]

Bioballs bad IME!

[Painted skin]

Bio balls can be use, but not commonly use is SW hobby and you have to maintain it as it can be a nitrate factory if left unmaintained. You can use cheato to remove or consume nutrient along with deep sand bed or even better miracle mud. You can also use bio reactor to colonize bacteria and or carbon dosing.

[CMurry4]

so what would be a better substitute for the bioballs sorry im kinda new to saltwater

[Painted skin]

Bio balls can be use, but not commonly use is SW hobby and you have to maintain it as it can be a nitrate factory if left unmaintained. You can use cheato to remove or consume nutrient along with deep sand bed or even better miracle mud. You can also use bio reactor to colonize bacteria and or carbon dosing.

so what would be a better substitute for the bioballs sorry im kinda new to saltwater

???
I just told you.

[ohioreefer]

I had bad luck with bio balls when first getting into hobby

[Jpruitt546]

I have used bio balls in the past but always seem to go back to the refugium. IMO I have never had problems with nitrates even using bio balls but I am meticulous on water changes and testing. Currently have bio balls running my 58 reef until next week after my refugium is done.

[lynchard]

I guess only time will tell.
http://www.libj.info/liuhan1.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan16.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan19.jpghttp://www.libj.info/liuhan17.jpg

[thegrun]

Live rock is a good substitute, a combination of live rock and chaeto would be the best substitute.

[sponger0]

Depends. Do you plan on having a reef or fish only? If fish only you can do the bioballs. If doing a reef, toss them out now. Just not worth the risk.

Secondly, you should have enough rock in your display to handle the filtration. If you dont have enough rock then add more.

Bioballs can create nitrate and phosphate issues. This is why they are not good in reefs. Coral dont like either one. But in a fish only, fish arent really affected by either one.


But I just stay away from bioballs all together and stick with natural filtration, meaning plenty of live rock and sand.