Okay, I keep getting conflicting information about bio balls. In a sump set up, do you want the water entering the sump tank to hit the bio balls first or last? Some people tell me that the bio balls should be the first thing water entering the sump tank should hit while others tell me it should be the last thing. What are the pros and cons of the bio balls being the first or last thing water entering the sump tank from the main tank hits?
Bio Balls
- Thread starter TheEelKing
- Start date
Mechanical media should be first, otherwise the bioballs will become clogged with gunk which is a pain to clean out, but if left alone will cause your nitrates to skyrocket. At least when the mechanical media has too much gunk in it, you can throw it out.
definitely have your mechanical floss before your bioballs to catch the larger particles that would clog your bio media.
brich999;4830109; said:
Why no carbon in the sump tank? I have carbon in socks that I put in my sump. What is the downside to this?
I've heard plusses and minises about having the carbon in the sump all the time, but I'm not convinced on why either way so I won't throw in my uneducated opinion on that.
However, I will say that I had bio balls in my sump and was having trouble getting any nitrAtes or nitrItes to show when starting my tank. I went for almost a month without any showing up. I removed the bio balls and went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of scrubbies (3 for $1
) and filled up my sump area where the bio balls were for less than $20. TWO days later I got instant readings. 2 days later, all levels were fine. My advice would be to ditch the bio balls and go with scrubbies!!!
However, I will say that I had bio balls in my sump and was having trouble getting any nitrAtes or nitrItes to show when starting my tank. I went for almost a month without any showing up. I removed the bio balls and went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of scrubbies (3 for $1
) and filled up my sump area where the bio balls were for less than $20. TWO days later I got instant readings. 2 days later, all levels were fine. My advice would be to ditch the bio balls and go with scrubbies!!!