Nitrates and Bio Balls

[ReefCheif]

Im having issues with Nitrates again and the only thing I can attribute it to is bio balls.

My sump is devided into 4 sections

First section is devided in half (creating 2 sections), this is where the over flow dumps water on one side and my skimmer is on the other side. On the same side where the overflow dumps I use filter floss and then directly below that I have bio balls, Ive gone over the tnka time and time again and I keep coming back to the bio balls, Im sure theyve become a nitrate factory.

Heres my question, if I remove the bio balls should I fill that chamber with rock rubble or just leave it empty?

I really, really want to get this taken care of, this little problem is keeping fomr adding SPS to my tank and the whole top of my rock stack is empty!!

Let me know what you guys think, and as always, thanks for the feedback / advice.

 

[deboy69]

How often do you change your filter floss

KCCO

 

[ReefCheif]

Once a month, I change filters every other water change and I do not re use, old stuff goes in the trash, new stuff goes in.

Ive searched everywhere in the tank and sump for detrius build up, there is none that I can find, Ive cleaned all areas of the sump very well, the only thing i can attribute it to is the bio balls. It really does have me pulling my hair out.

 

[MuralReef]

I had bio balls in the 225 when I first set it up I couldn't keep the detritus from building up so I pulled them and left that section empty. With the 360 I run filter socks sometimes but just have a ton of chaeto in the center of my sump. I haven't had any nitrates since the rebuild and didn't have any in the 225.

 

[FinsUp]

I've heard bad stuff about bioballs. They sure seem like a great place to collect detritus, which would mean a lot of cleaning of the balls themselves to keep them from developing nitrates. But even with some detritus in the tank, if you had enough live rock, it ought to process those nitrates. I would think so, anyway... but I'm no expert.

 

[ReefCheif]

Ive got 250+lbs of live rock in the tank, I dont think thats the issue.

My nitrates are spiking between 30 and 40 ppm, WAY TO HIGH. I have tried other test kits to make sure Im not using a faulty test. For some reason the tank is not processing the nitrates correctly and it has to be attributed to these damn bio balls.

Im just gonna pull them form the sump and see what happens, cant get any worse right?

 

[FinsUp]

between feeding 3x a day and the bioballs, it might be that the live rock is just not able to keep up. I'd agree that taking the bioballs out is probably your best move. Then see where you're at with nitrates.

 

[Labsalesguy]

I imagine you are right...if they are aerobic or in the air then I believe nitrate is the last thing those bacteria produce. maybe try removing 1/2 or 2/3 of balls and re-check levels.

 

[ReefCheif]

There not in the air, there completly submerged, which i think is also the problem

 

[ReefCheif]

between feeding 3x a day and the bioballs, it might be that the live rock is just not able to keep up. I'd agree that taking the bioballs out is probably your best move. Then see where you're at with nitrates.

My 3 feedings a day are very small, less food than if I did one nig feed per day

 

[mathewkofalk]

I always had better luck with cetamic media but I washed like half of it a month in my dirty tank water ....maybe try washin half the bio balls I don't know if you can do tjat but the ceramic beads did ok with a light washing.

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[Smiley]

I would remove the bio balls and either throw rock rubble in or add a light a a ball of cheato.

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[ReefCheif]

I have a good size clump of cheato in the fuge part, your sayin throw a clump in where the bio balls were?

 

[deboy69]

If you do remove them I have read to remove them over a period of time not all at once.

KCCO

 

[MuralReef]

Got plenty of chaeto if you need it but I have aiptasia and red planarian issues. Also have a breeding population of mysis and pods.