Quick question about bio balls

BHeidemann · 02-14-2008, 10:27 AM

I've been noticing that when bio balls have been used in a sump tank that they are always suspended above the water line and the water flows through them. I've never seen the balls submersed in water. Is there any reason for that?

I am curios because I recently received a brand new Fluval 404 & a 403 and was thinking about filling the tub with Bio balls instead of the filter elements that come with them. Sounds weird but its all put of the master plan.

What do you think?

**SueM** · 02-14-2008, 11:14 AM

They can be used either way, in a wet/dry system or fully submerged. They are just a surface for the bio to grow.

CollegeReefer · 02-14-2008, 03:50 PM

I personally am not a fan of bio balls, your best bet is to use liverock rubble.

BHeidemann · 02-14-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollegeReefer

I personally am not a fan of bio balls, your best bet is to use liverock rubble.

That's what I've been hearing.

I have an 80 gallon tank I am building out now so my plan was to take my old 20 gal tank and turn it into a sump. Would I be ok if I used live rock/sand in the main tank and just put a filter sock/protein filter and heater in the sump?

**Fishfirst** · 02-24-2008, 09:35 PM

short answer: yes!

02-14-2008, 10:27 AM	#1
BHeidemann Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3 User Feedback: (0)	Quick question about bio balls I've been noticing that when bio balls have been used in a sump tank that they are always suspended above the water line and the water flows through them. I've never seen the balls submersed in water. Is there any reason for that? I am curios because I recently received a brand new Fluval 404 & a 403 and was thinking about filling the tub with Bio balls instead of the filter elements that come with them. Sounds weird but its all put of the master plan. What do you think?

02-14-2008, 11:14 AM	#2
SueM Administrator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA. Age: 50 Posts: 989 User Feedback: (24)	They can be used either way, in a wet/dry system or fully submerged. They are just a surface for the bio to grow. __________________ Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled

02-14-2008, 03:50 PM	#3
CollegeReefer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stevens Pont, Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 385 User Feedback: (0)	I personally am not a fan of bio balls, your best bet is to use liverock rubble. __________________ CollegeReefer

02-24-2008, 09:35 PM	#5
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Soon to be Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,489 User Feedback: (1)	short answer: yes! __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

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