Sump Question

[dfarney]

So I've been 'stalking' this fourm for a little over a week now, and I would first like to say that this place is amazing -- there is so much information, and its a great help being that I'm a beginnger to the hobby...anyways...

I have 72g tank with wet/dry filter, and almost more live rock than my tank can handle. I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to take out the bioballs and replace it with some of my live rock. Does this sound like a good idea or any suggestions on how to modify my sump? (Here's a pic of what it looks like (http://www.myfishtank.com/ProductImages/197.jpg))

From what I've read I'm assuming that most people don't like bioballs...why is this?

Thanks.[/url]

[matt]

It's probably a good idea, although you may want to do it in stages, like remove 25% of the bioballs, wait a week, make sure there's no ammonia, repeat, etc. Most current reefkeepers don't like bioballs because a tank relying totally on them for biofiltration has no areas of lower O2 concentration that allow different species of bacteria to thrive. These bacteria that need low oxygen habitat are responsible for processing nitrate into free nitrogen. Typically they live in a 4" deep sand bed, although there are opinions that they also can colonize areas of live rock.

You already have alot of live rock, so removing the bioballs might not change much. The bioballs themselves do not "produce nitrates" they just don't provide the habitat for low O2 bacteria. They're not preventing it from growing in your sand or rock as it is now.

[engwife36]

When I had my wet/dry a few years back I trashed the bio balls after 6 months and filled it up with LR rubble. After that the tank seemed to do a lot better. I think it would be a great idea.

[mhaynes01]

second on Live rock rubble

[SoLiD]

I 3rd it. Bioballs are a cheap rock rubble alternative. You still want to make sure that the rubble is golf ball sized to softball sized. You want the most surface area that you can get in there. Most importantly, use your good judgement. That last thing you want is to STOP the flow of your salt water through your sump as it will surely overflow out the top of it. -SoLiD