Bioballs in a 14g

I clean about half of them every week when i do a WC..But i am wondering if its better to get LR rubble, or keep the bioballs? i have no cash at the moment until later..But whats people opinions?

 

my opinion is

your nitrate levels are the key ?
many people including myself have dismissed bio balls as potential nitrate factories
simply because our basic understanding of the bacteria types required to complete the nitrogen cycle included some strains of bacteria that require areas deficient in oxygen
which cant be provided by Bioballs - but could be provided by live rock

Inwall75 - got me questioning this belief

Bio pellets - have me convinced , it cannot in fact be the case

thus if you can maintain nitrate levels using your current mainainance routine
then I suggest, you have no need to remove the bioballs and replace them

Steve

 

So your saying that if i keep up with weekly water changes, all things should be good?

 

Personally I think that LR rubble is just as much as a nitrate trap as bio-balls. And I agree that routine water changes should address elevated nitrated levels effectively.

Currently I am not running any rubble, no bio-balls and I keep the sump pretty darn clean with just carbon and a mechanical filter. Very easy to just suction the water and detritus out. Nitrates barely budge for me.

Just my personal experience.

 

+1 on Coraillines point about live rock, left to get covered in detritus is just as likely to be a source of a future nitrate issue

Zoanthids21 my opinion is - if you keep up with the water changes and include rinsing some of those bioballs and can keep a nitrate level, at a figure suitable for the species you are keeping, then Yes, I see no good reason to change anything

Steve

 

live rock rubble yes..bio balls no..i have a 5 gallon bucket full if anybody wants them lol

 

Hahaha..yeah, idk i just heard some things.Ill take them out eventully.