Bio-media controversy

[metalyx]

Hey folks, just got back from my one of the lfs's and after a usual round of bsing I received some contradictory information. I'm using a built in dual chamber sump on my sixty right now split on one side with live rock rubble and a few different types of algae, the other full of bioballs. The questionable info received was that bioballs don't actually remove nitrates, they store them. This does not sound right to me with waterflow plus bacterial refuge but I've decided it deserves some follow up.

Any thoughts?

 

[tcarswell]

They dont remove or store them. They contrain nitrifying bacteria that creates nitrates.

One set of bacteria on them converts ammonia into nitrite which is semi less harmful
The next to grow in a maturing aquarium converts Nitrite into much less dangerous Nitrate.
the most simple way to remove Nitrate is to do water changes

Hope that is helpful.

 

[sterling_mcdaniel]

Hey folks, just got back from my one of the lfs's and after a usual round of bsing I received some contradictory information. I'm using a built in dual chamber sump on my sixty right now split on one side with live rock rubble and a few different types of algae, the other full of bioballs. The questionable info received was that bioballs don't actually remove nitrates, they store them. This does not sound right to me with waterflow plus bacterial refuge but I've decided it deserves some follow up.

Any thoughts?

Bio balls are nitrate factories if not cleaned regularly. In salt water a big sump with a good skimmer, and an algae scrubber. and deep sand it the tank and lots of LR is the best filtration.

 

[Deaths Sting]

sounds ***ed up to me. bio balls are suppose to store beneficial bacteria that cause nitrate but that's not a real problem unless ur anti w/c. u should also clean 1/3 of ur bio balls a month or every 3 months at least. that will help battle the so called evil nitrates lol

 

[Nic]

i would add more live rock rubble and algea to the second chamber... maybe may them sit on a 1"-2" sand bed... be alot better than bio balls

 

[Pharaoh]

They dont remove or store them. They contrain nitrifying bacteria that creates nitrates.

One set of bacteria on them converts ammonia into nitrite which is semi less harmful
The next to grow in a maturing aquarium converts Nitrite into much less dangerous Nitrate.
the most simple way to remove Nitrate is to do water changes

Hope that is helpful.

+1

 

[Mr Pleco]

salt or freshwater aquarium.....?

Bio balls do not offer any anaerobic area for denitrification. Not that big of a deal in FW aquariums, as stated water changes keep that in control...

 

[metalyx]

It's a saltwater aquarium. The chambers are stocked as such for means necessarily. I have a ten gallon sump with an Excalibur protein skimmer that came off of my 72, and is just waiting for more use. What I'm planning out is filling the base of the first chamber of that with live rock rubble and I'm looking for a better filter product than bioballs. Thinking about doing scrubbies but i'm not sure I'd see real benefit.

 

[Jgray152]

Bio balls are nitrate factories if not cleaned regularly. In salt water a big sump with a good skimmer, and an algae scrubber. and deep sand it the tank and lots of LR is the best filtration.

All bio media can be considered nitrate factories. Some more than others. Especially if your not running good mechanical filtration before the bio media.

 

[Bderick67]

This would probably be better suited for the salt water forum, because of the differing thoughs regarding nitrates in saltwater as opposed to fresh water aquariums.

I can give my view, but since it is driven by freshwater practice it really is not relative.

All bio media can be considered nitrate factories. Some more than others. Especially if your not running good mechanical filtration before the bio media.

Exactly I always get a kick out of the "nitrate factory" quotes