Bio balls VS. live rock/rubble in Aquaclear Fuge

[Teeterz]

Hello all! In my 30g I'm looking to upgrade my Aquaclear 20 to an Aquaclear 70. In doing so I am going to be modding the AC-70 into a HOB refugium.

I'm having trouble finding an answer in my research as to whether to use bioballs, live rock/rubble, or nothing at all (in addition to the chaeto). I've seen arguments for both. The most similar one being they each will become a problem when they begin to build detritus and are in need of rinsing (if at all).

So my question to you folks. What is your experience with this?

[Teeterz]

bump. can anybody shine some light on this?

[ramsey]

I wouldn't use either. If you have LR in your tank, you should have plenty of biological filtration. LR rubble and bio balls will both become nitrate factories.

[Big_Pun]

just run cheato and a bag of media, if you want. i used chemipure elite in all my ac-70 setups and cheato.

[350gt]

No LR or rubble in sump?

[Teeterz]

No LR or rubble in sump?

No sump at the moment.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

LR rubble for sure is a good idea. I like to put them in between the baffles. And you never want to rinse your LR. Thats like siphoning the sand.why
Once you get the critters growing on it, you dont want to kill it, ruins the purpose

chaeto would be good too and some sand, for the criitters

[Big_Pun]

LR rubble for sure is a good idea. I like to put them in between the baffles. And you never want to rinse your LR. Thats like siphoning the sand.why

i really disagree the ac70 is too small for lr. jump on nano reef or google ac70 fuge mods to see what other have done, but i dont think ive ever seen any lr rubble in them waste of space. also look in brightwell aquatics xport line, they are small cubes perfect for a ac70, theres even one that is more porous than rubble would be.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

lr probably so, chaeto is a perfect haven for pods, with some sand and led, LR rubble may work too, try it and see what works

[Big_Pun]

here is the last tan emily and i ran with a ac-70

http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?t=70050