Problematic bio-balls?

[Richard]

An alternative to LR rubble is Seachem's MATRIX biomedia. It is a porous rock media that you can put in filter bags in place of the bioballs. Then it's easy to pull out the filter bag and shake off any detritus that may build up over time. The advantage of LR rubble or something like matrix is that you can get at least some level of nitrate reduction as well ammonia/nitrite reduction. With bioballs you'll never get any nitrate reduction no matter how clean you keep them.

[MissT]

Another possibility is to use lava rock... the cheapest you can possibly find so that any dye, etc washes right off. Rinse the heck out of it and replace the bio balls. Even better, would be to seed the lava rock first or do like 70% lava rock, 30% live rock rubble and you're in business, without the risk of bio balls crashing your tank. BTW, this works great in freshwater canister filters as well, or for those stuck in 1998, saltwater canister filters. lol... And DON'T get Scott's or some other name brand lava rock. You'll never get the dye rinsed out.

[Richard]

saltwater canister filters. lol...

Hey now, my 210 seahorse tank is built completely around canister filters LOL.

The only problem with lava rock is that it may or may not contain harmful things like heavy metals or high amounts of phosphate that could cause real problems. I don't think there is a way to tell if lava rock is safe or not so it is not usually recommended for saltwater.

[MissT]

One way to be positive is to get a few pieces, do the whole rinse the heck out of them thing, then soak for a couple days in DI water and then test the KH, GH, and Phosphates. DI water should have none of the above. If the rock has any, it will readout. Again, more luck has been had with the cheapest stuff (how many times can you say that in fishkeeping?!?! lol) because the name brand's claim to fame is that the color doesn't fade, which is great in the yard, but not for this purpose.