Do I need bio balls if I have a refugium?

[loganricher]

I am in the process of building my own sump system. I am planning on having a refugium in my sump. I am toying with the idea of adding a bio ball trickle chamber to the sump as well. Do you guys think this is a good idea or just over-kill?

[Pete1399]

No, do not add bio-balls. In saltwater they make for a nitrate problem. All you need is a decent skimmer, macro-algae, and your pump in the fuge/sump.

[PatMayo]

If you are going to have a FOWLR as you stated you could run bio balls. If you ever decide to have a reef tank it won't be such a good idea. But if you have enough live rock the rock will act as your filtration system and there is no need for bio balls.

Lots of people run reef's with 10 ppm or less of nitrates but typically they are lps and softie tanks not sps.

It really is not necessary though to run bio balls. Maintenance is much easier as well.

Regards,

Pat