bio balls vs live rock

[Damnselpa]

I was wondering what peoples opinions were on using bio balls or live rock. pros and cons for both. i would like to start a refugium and wondered if i should get rid of my bio balls and just use live rock in my sump tank.

 

[Jmck]

Oh no! someone who did no research :/ Bio balls are extremely outdated and useless unless washed every 3-5 days.

They hold a lot of detrius and can be nitrate factories causing spikes in ammonia and killing our tanks. Avoid at all costs.

Every tank MUST have live rocks. If you do not, get some or get out of the marine industry :)

Btw, hi and welcome :P

 

[Damnselpa]

I have live rock in my main tank. i was just wondering about in the sump tank.

 

[Jmck]

:) well that should answer your question either way, bio balls are one of the most useless and dangerous items in a reef tank.

live rock there would help, as would macro algae.

 

[Bifferwine]

I would use live rock and skip the bioballs altogether. :)

 

[Ted]

Live rock and Cheato makes for a very good refugium. Bio balls is just a time bomb waiting to go off.