New media for Wet/Dry... Should I? What with? - Aquarium Advice

GatorDrew · 03-24-2007, 10:54 PM

Alright, as I mentioned in this post: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=96626

My tank is having a "new life." I recently sold back all my predator fish because I wanted to get more colorful, smaller fish. The groupers were cool and all, but they just grow too big for my 90G.

To tell you the truth, I'm a bit scared. The groupers were so hearty that it was probably close to impossible to kill them.

Right now, I'm kind of recycling my tank. I did about a 45% water change and just letting it get back up and running. All the live rock and soft corals are still doing amazing. Otherwise, my tank is fish-less.

So... I'm thinking that this is my opportunity to really make my setup better. There's no worry of killing fish

Right now in my wet/dry I have "stock" bioballs.

Here are the options running through my mind. Starting with the least costly...

1- Take 50% out and wash them

2- Take 50-75% out and replace them with better bio balls. Something listed here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...?N=2004+113804

Not really sure what to get there though. Cell-Pore BioMedia is recommended, but really don't know where it's placed...? You then have the CoralLife balls, BioMate, etc. Based on name only, I'd say CoralLife is the better option.

3- Get live rock rubble. Obliviously will cost the most. I've heard some cons/pros.

So, hoping someone could tell me...

If I were to get new bioballs, what would be best? That's a ~$15 change. Or, should I just scrap the entire idea and go with LR rubble?

Marc118 · 03-24-2007, 10:57 PM

3.

Bioballs are OK...but if not cleaned enough they will cause your nitrates to be high.

If keeping bioballs id say a 50% change ( once every few months? someone chime in ) would work.

GatorDrew · 03-24-2007, 11:06 PM

If I do liverock rubble... it's just as simple as removing all the bioballs and then replacing it with rock right?

Come to think of it... it may not be that all expensive. I mean, I don't need "premium" live rock by any means. It can be very basic stuff... you know, the $3.99/lb stash at the LFS. LOL.

... also, I've had the same bioballs for the past year. All critical levels are good; however, I do always have "some" nitrates

**melosu58** · 03-24-2007, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorDrew

Or, should I just scrap the entire idea and go with LR rubble?

This would be my suggestion. LR rubble is much better and is not as much a nitrate factory as bioballs. I`m getting ready to change mine to LR rubble.

GatorDrew · 03-25-2007, 01:03 PM

Any other opinions?

**Ziggy953** · 03-25-2007, 06:49 PM

What else are you planning on doing with this tank? Other corals or just mainly the softies? I would get rid of the bio-balls completely and go with the LR rubble. Add a fuge to the system wouldn't be bad either. It all depends on what you plan to do with the tank.

**lando** · 03-25-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Any other opinions?

yah...how about using LR rubble? :P
Sorry, I am a huge fan of LR rubble for sumps and it is, IMHO, the very best filter media out there. You make have to modify the wet/dry a bit. I tok mine and removed the tray the bioballs sat on so the rubble would be submerged fully in water. I have some pics of mine in my gallery if you areinterested.

GatorDrew · 03-25-2007, 09:13 PM

Where did you get all the LR rubble? your LFS?

Thanks for the pictures... !

Marc118 · 03-25-2007, 09:25 PM

Just go to the LFS, buy a rock, and smash the crap out of it. Thats what I did...lol...

GatorDrew · 03-25-2007, 09:38 PM

LOLOLOL! At $3.99/lb of their cheap LR...

lando - forgot to ask - how many pounds is in there? Looks like you have about the same size as mine. Since the LR needs to be fully submerged... it looks like I have this space:

7" tall
8.5" wide & length

I'm worried though. What if the water level in the sump drops overnight... thus leaving some of the LR unsubmerged. Would that cause any harm?

03-24-2007, 10:54 PM	#1
GatorDrew Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 83	New media for Wet/Dry... Should I? What with? Alright, as I mentioned in this post: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=96626 My tank is having a "new life." I recently sold back all my predator fish because I wanted to get more colorful, smaller fish. The groupers were cool and all, but they just grow too big for my 90G. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit scared. The groupers were so hearty that it was probably close to impossible to kill them. Right now, I'm kind of recycling my tank. I did about a 45% water change and just letting it get back up and running. All the live rock and soft corals are still doing amazing. Otherwise, my tank is fish-less. So... I'm thinking that this is my opportunity to really make my setup better. There's no worry of killing fish Right now in my wet/dry I have "stock" bioballs. Here are the options running through my mind. Starting with the least costly... 1- Take 50% out and wash them 2- Take 50-75% out and replace them with better bio balls. Something listed here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...?N=2004+113804 Not really sure what to get there though. Cell-Pore BioMedia is recommended, but really don't know where it's placed...? You then have the CoralLife balls, BioMate, etc. Based on name only, I'd say CoralLife is the better option. 3- Get live rock rubble. Obliviously will cost the most. I've heard some cons/pros. So, hoping someone could tell me... If I were to get new bioballs, what would be best? That's a ~$15 change. Or, should I just scrap the entire idea and go with LR rubble?

03-24-2007, 10:57 PM	#2
Marc118 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 766	3. Bioballs are OK...but if not cleaned enough they will cause your nitrates to be high. If keeping bioballs id say a 50% change ( once every few months? someone chime in ) would work. __________________ Come Join The Dark Side

03-25-2007, 09:25 PM	#9
Marc118 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 766	Just go to the LFS, buy a rock, and smash the crap out of it. Thats what I did...lol... __________________ Come Join The Dark Side

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03-24-2007, 11:06 PM	#3
GatorDrew Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 83	If I do liverock rubble... it's just as simple as removing all the bioballs and then replacing it with rock right? Come to think of it... it may not be that all expensive. I mean, I don't need "premium" live rock by any means. It can be very basic stuff... you know, the $3.99/lb stash at the LFS. LOL. ... also, I've had the same bioballs for the past year. All critical levels are good; however, I do always have "some" nitrates

03-25-2007, 01:03 PM	#5
GatorDrew Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 83	Any other opinions?

03-25-2007, 09:13 PM	#8
GatorDrew Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 83	Where did you get all the LR rubble? your LFS? Thanks for the pictures... !

03-25-2007, 09:38 PM	#10
GatorDrew Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 83	LOLOLOL! At $3.99/lb of their cheap LR... lando - forgot to ask - how many pounds is in there? Looks like you have about the same size as mine. Since the LR needs to be fully submerged... it looks like I have this space: 7" tall 8.5" wide & length I'm worried though. What if the water level in the sump drops overnight... thus leaving some of the LR unsubmerged. Would that cause any harm?