Bio Ball Maintainance

prawdzwr · 11/27/2009, 06:36 AM

How do I clean/service my Bio balls. And how often should I do so.

livenow · 11/27/2009, 08:31 AM

Take out a hand full a week and put them in the trash until they are all gone. Then if you want you can put live rock in there or some type of macro algae.

mdntrdr · 11/27/2009, 08:32 AM

I agree

gh0st · 11/27/2009, 08:56 AM

If you keep all your Filter pads and Prefilter sponges clean on a weekly basis, it eliminates most problems all the BioBall Haters point out all the time.

If the balls are getting a bit grungy, pull out about a quarter of them, swish them around in a container of tank water to dislodge debris, and put them back in. Repeat every week or two until all are clean. Viola, clean Bio Balls.

IMHO Live Rock in a WetDry will collect far more detritus, and be much more difficult to clean than any plastic Bio ball.

prawdzwr · 11/27/2009, 08:36 PM

so if I go to live rock I would need to cure? and then how often to clean or exchange them. I live right on the beach of the persian gulf so live rock is not a problem.
Or if I stay with bio balls clean only say 25% at a time?

chadfarmer · 11/27/2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gh0st

If you keep all your Filter pads and Prefilter sponges clean on a weekly basis, it eliminates most problems all the BioBall Haters point out all the time.

If the balls are getting a bit grungy, pull out about a quarter of them, swish them around in a container of tank water to dislodge debris, and put them back in. Repeat every week or two until all are clean. Viola, clean Bio Balls.

IMHO Live Rock in a WetDry will collect far more detritus, and be much more difficult to clean than any plastic Bio ball.

i have cleaned all the balls in one day at a fish store

but what he said is good to

prawdzwr · 11/28/2009, 02:04 AM

Thanks All

KEITHHAYS_2000 · 04/29/2011, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gh0st

If you keep all your Filter pads and Prefilter sponges clean on a weekly basis, it eliminates most problems all the BioBall Haters point out all the time.

If the balls are getting a bit grungy, pull out about a quarter of them, swish them around in a container of tank water to dislodge debris, and put them back in. Repeat every week or two until all are clean. Viola, clean Bio Balls.

IMHO Live Rock in a WetDry will collect far more detritus, and be much more difficult to clean than any plastic Bio ball.

This is good point, I would add that if you are putting live rock in a w/d (not fully submerged), you are essentially using the the Bio ball method. The bio-balls just look like rocks. Not really a bad thing, but again slightly different method of filtration with different strengths and weaknesses within the nitrogen cycle.

11/27/2009, 06:36 AM	#1
prawdzwr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 34	Bio Ball Maintainance How do I clean/service my Bio balls. And how often should I do so.

11/27/2009, 08:32 AM	#3
mdntrdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 550	I agree __________________ Midnight Rider Current Tank Info: 220G. AGA ~ RR ~ SSB mixed reef ~ 40G. DSB sump/fuge ~ GFO and GAC reactors ~ 72" Aqualight Pro ~ MRC-MR2 Skimmer ~ THAT'S HOW I RIDE!!!!

11/27/2009, 08:31 AM	#2
livenow Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 54	Take out a hand full a week and put them in the trash until they are all gone. Then if you want you can put live rock in there or some type of macro algae.

11/27/2009, 08:56 AM	#4
gh0st Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 956	If you keep all your Filter pads and Prefilter sponges clean on a weekly basis, it eliminates most problems all the BioBall Haters point out all the time. If the balls are getting a bit grungy, pull out about a quarter of them, swish them around in a container of tank water to dislodge debris, and put them back in. Repeat every week or two until all are clean. Viola, clean Bio Balls. IMHO Live Rock in a WetDry will collect far more detritus, and be much more difficult to clean than any plastic Bio ball.

11/27/2009, 08:36 PM	#5
prawdzwr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 34	so if I go to live rock I would need to cure? and then how often to clean or exchange them. I live right on the beach of the persian gulf so live rock is not a problem. Or if I stay with bio balls clean only say 25% at a time?

11/28/2009, 02:04 AM	#7
prawdzwr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 34	Thanks All