confused on bio balls

Afterdark230 · 06-01-2008, 06:45 PM

ok I am looking at the e.t.s.s. skimmers, but they use bio balls in the chambers. but I thought I read all over the forum that bio balls were bad, but then I reed that a few of you use these bio balls in the skimmer.

I think I read that tangster uses the e.t.s.s. skimmers and has no problems.

so please help out a very confused guy here.

thanks
Matt

bmshehan · 06-01-2008, 06:51 PM

Pm Tangster if you want an answer from him, much quicker and trust me, after all that I have bugged him I know that he doesn't mind!!

Afterdark230 · 06-01-2008, 07:02 PM

yes I could do that but I am sure there are other people that would like to know the answer to this

lunatik_69 · 06-01-2008, 07:08 PM

I have always used BB's but in my W/D, not in my skimmer. Which skimmer uses BB's in it? Theres only two pieces of equipment that I've seen that has BB's, A W/D and a Denitrator(sp). Luna

Jakerupe · 07-26-2008, 10:47 PM

OK this is an old post and I guess I'm hijacking it. I have an ETSS skimmer to and this whole anti-bio ball thing is throwing me for a loop.

I've only had a fish only tank so maybe I'm in left field with me hockey skates on but why would we not what something in our tank that is creating nitrates... that's the result of getting rid of the really bad stuff!

PharmrJohn · 07-26-2008, 11:03 PM

OK.....this confused me at first......but thinking on it, I would venture to guess that the bioballs and filter socks collect a lot of junk that just begins to rot. That sends out NH4, which the LR bacteria turns into nitrite then nitrate. That garbage never gets skimmed out. It just sits in the media and turns it into a nitrate factory.

Now.......that's purely a guess. I really don't know. Someone who is a pro needs to verify my statement. I am just a newbie.

Rock on.......John.

Jakerupe · 07-27-2008, 10:56 AM

That makes sense but I guess what I can't follow is how is that bad. The NH4 are not just released from demposition they are a product of the nitrogen cycle. If "stuff" is collecting on them then I would say that the problem is too much "stuff" not the bio balls. It will collect somewhere eventually so it will still end up as NH4 when it decompese.

lunatik_69 · 07-27-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakerupe

That makes sense but I guess what I can't follow is how is that bad. The NH4 are not just released from demposition they are a product of the nitrogen cycle. If "stuff" is collecting on them then I would say that the problem is too much "stuff" not the bio balls. It will collect somewhere eventually so it will still end up as NH4 when it decompese.

I agree with you, it doesnt matter what the "object" is, where it be BB's, LR, LS or filter pads, it will collect where ever enough flow isnt present. Luna

PharmrJohn · 07-27-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunatik_69

I agree with you, it doesnt matter what the "object" is, where it be BB's, LR, LS or filter pads, it will collect where ever enough flow isnt present. Luna

I was thinking that the garbage was getting trapped before it could get to the skimmer, then rot. If the bioballs or sock were not there, the PS would get it out of the tank, into to collection cup and out of the system. Then it could rot alllllll it wants.

lunatik_69 · 07-27-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmrjohn

I was thinking that the garbage was getting trapped before it could get to the skimmer, then rot. If the bioballs or sock were not there, the PS would get it out of the tank, into to collection cup and out of the system. Then it could rot alllllll it wants.

Sounds good on paper, but in real life that doesnt work. Unless you have a real strong flow/current without any interference and thats almost impossible. Luna

06-01-2008, 06:45 PM	#1
Afterdark230 Flamingo Tongue Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Inlet, NY Age: 32 Posts: 110 Skin: Mint Karma: 268	confused on bio balls ok I am looking at the e.t.s.s. skimmers, but they use bio balls in the chambers. but I thought I read all over the forum that bio balls were bad, but then I reed that a few of you use these bio balls in the skimmer. I think I read that tangster uses the e.t.s.s. skimmers and has no problems. so please help out a very confused guy here. thanks Matt

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06-01-2008, 06:51 PM	#2
bmshehan Fu Manchu Lion Fish Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Columbus, Indiana Age: 28 Posts: 1,904 Skin: Mint Karma: 16216	Pm Tangster if you want an answer from him, much quicker and trust me, after all that I have bugged him I know that he doesn't mind!!

06-01-2008, 07:02 PM	#3
Afterdark230 Flamingo Tongue Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Inlet, NY Age: 32 Posts: 110 Skin: Mint Karma: 268	yes I could do that but I am sure there are other people that would like to know the answer to this

06-01-2008, 07:08 PM	#4
lunatik_69 Giant Squid Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami, FL Age: 44 Posts: 7,934 Skin: Classic Karma: 50843	I have always used BB's but in my W/D, not in my skimmer. Which skimmer uses BB's in it? Theres only two pieces of equipment that I've seen that has BB's, A W/D and a Denitrator(sp). Luna

07-26-2008, 10:47 PM	#5
Jakerupe Skunk Shrimp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 278 Skin: Mint Karma: 530	OK this is an old post and I guess I'm hijacking it. I have an ETSS skimmer to and this whole anti-bio ball thing is throwing me for a loop. I've only had a fish only tank so maybe I'm in left field with me hockey skates on but why would we not what something in our tank that is creating nitrates... that's the result of getting rid of the really bad stuff!

07-26-2008, 11:03 PM	#6
PharmrJohn Giant Squid Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Shelton, Washington Age: 49 Posts: 4,613 Skin: Mint Karma: 27435	OK.....this confused me at first......but thinking on it, I would venture to guess that the bioballs and filter socks collect a lot of junk that just begins to rot. That sends out NH4, which the LR bacteria turns into nitrite then nitrate. That garbage never gets skimmed out. It just sits in the media and turns it into a nitrate factory. Now.......that's purely a guess. I really don't know. Someone who is a pro needs to verify my statement. I am just a newbie. Rock on.......John.

07-27-2008, 10:56 AM	#7
Jakerupe Skunk Shrimp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 278 Skin: Mint Karma: 530	That makes sense but I guess what I can't follow is how is that bad. The NH4 are not just released from demposition they are a product of the nitrogen cycle. If "stuff" is collecting on them then I would say that the problem is too much "stuff" not the bio balls. It will collect somewhere eventually so it will still end up as NH4 when it decompese.