Bio balls debate

[Rank amateur]

I have a sump running under my tank with bio balls as the main bio filter media.

I have read conflicting reviews about them so just wondering if I would be better of putting live rock in there instead? I have too much in my tank do wanted to move some out and thought it was better than wasting it.

If I did change, would I need the same volume as I have in bio balls?

Cheers

 

[woody390]

If you want to take them out don't do it all at once as you will be removing beneficial bacteria. Basically the negative points about bio balls are they are nitrate factories. They are called this as they can only produce half the nitrogen cycle which is turning ammonia into nitrite then nitrate whereas live rock the has the ability to turn nitrate into nitrogen gas which is harmless and will work its way out of your system obviously not all or your nitrates but it will help at least. So yes live rock is better really