Well I just got this tank so this is my first w/c.. nitrates were high when i got the tank. I replaced about 25 gallons of water today, plus I removed the bioballs and replaced it with Liverock. I also replaced the prefilter (mechnical) this is the second time I've done that. I tested right after, pH is back to 8.2, ammonia 0 ppm, nitrite 0 ppm and nitrate 20 ppm...
Tank cloudy
- Thread starter TMartinez
- Start date
Removing the bioballs just took a big step backwards for you.
The bacteria you want was growing on them, so now you'll be starting over.
I'll let it sit and sort itself out. It happens with new tanks.
Is the prefilter your only mechanical filtration? I'd change it out more often. Every other day for awhile.
The bacteria you want was growing on them, so now you'll be starting over.
I'll let it sit and sort itself out. It happens with new tanks.
Is the prefilter your only mechanical filtration? I'd change it out more often. Every other day for awhile.
I have had several people 9this forum and my lfs) say that the bioballs are a nitrate trap and that I should remove them to lower my nitrates and by adding LR will do pretty much the same as bioballs.
The prefilter on my Pro Clear is the only mechanical I have. I start changing it out more regularly
The prefilter on my Pro Clear is the only mechanical I have. I start changing it out more regularly
bioballs can increase nitrates but water changes can remove the amount of nitrate in the water or dilute it ,the problem you have with removing all the bioballs at once is you have removed your filtration system and you are now relying on the live rock that you have introduced to have enough benefitial bacteria to cope with the waste produced, bioballs must be removed over a period of time to allow bacteria to grow on your live rock and to cope with any die off from the new rock and the waste your system put out
Bioballs will only become an issue if used wrong. All artificial biological surface area like that should be located after (downstream) from the mechanical filters. The reason people mess it up and they become nitrate traps is b/c they collect junk in them. That breaks down as ammonia and feeds into a nitrate issue. Bioballs should always look 'clean'... even though you don't want to physically be cleaning them off.
makes sense... mine was after the prefilter. But all well, its too late now. I've been checking nitrates daily and they are good. I'm getting a proflex sump within the month anyway. I appreciate the advice. I think the calcium and alkalinity being off the charts is a contributor to the water clarity as well
Bio-balls create an oxygen rich enviorment for Ammonia and Nitrite eating bacteria - has nothing to do with De-Nitrifyiers, wrong test.
