to bio-balls or not to bio-balls?

That is the question.
Since i fear my tank is going to fall through my floor, i bought a bio-cube 29.

I've heard mixed reviews about the bio-balls, and was wondering what was the best configuration for the back three compartments? I have some grape calepura i'd love to put in that back compartment and maybe some cheato. Hoping to get a skimmer for it soon. Any ideas or links to these kinda threads?

 

lol. Good idea. You fear your floor is going to fall through. So you buy another tank to add more weight.

um, you could use bioballs, but they will collect nitrates. They should be cleaned often.

 

HAha, AT least i get to keep another tank It will be replacing the 55, the 55 will be drained tomorrow and the 29'll be going up...exciting and sad all at the same time.

 

You'll have enough livestock for your new tank at least. Plus enough rock & sand to last a while.

 

The nitrate factor is a constant debate with bioballs. They WILL NOT generate excess nitrates if your wash them on a every other month basis and provide the nescessary filter pads berfore them to catch particles. Bioballs are great tools for marine tanks IF USED LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.

 

Not to bio balls!

That is the answer!

Most everyone removes them and replaces it with live rock or live rock rubble for the nitrate reason. I removed mine long ago.

 

bio balls/ LR both can be Nitrate factories. Put a good pre filter before the bio balls and change it weekly and you will be fine. You can buy yards of the pre filter material for dirt cheap, all you have to do is cut it to size, and change the pad out weekly. Problem solved. The filter pad is what is going to be catching all of the big particulates. Dont use a filter pad, and the bio balls or live rock will be a nitrate factory because all fo the decaying matter, and particulates, food etc... will build up

 

I agree.I think BB get a bad rap..I used to use them on my 55 as long as they are kept clean ur go to go..they actually help increase 02 exchange also and help house good bacteria..just take a small a@mount out once a month and lightly swish in ur old water from ur water change..keep ur per filter anf filter pad clean...

 

i dont think bioballs are bad, i just think that they take up precious space. Especially in the smaller nano tanks! You would probably have much better water quality if you remove them and grew some cheato and mabey some macro in their place. I am a fan of natural filtration LR, LS and filter floss LOL!

 

1+ natural filtration, i live by my Chaeto. that is if you can properly incorperate it with your bio-cube compartments.