StoutLager
01/28/2005, 07:58 AM
Wish wish to gather Bermuda theories on BioBalls, LiveRock, & Substrate in our Forum, since we have a unique scenario to those on mainland. We should add a few other topics that are unique to us. Generic topics, like Protein Skimmers, Pumps, plumbing, electrical, feeding, temperature control, and the like, are probably best for the general forums so we gather insight from the world.
Here is Walt's theory. A coastal aquarist has the benefit of bountiful real live rock, not half dead and shipped from south pacific. We also get live sand. If feel that if you have this, you do not need BioBalls in your filters, sumps, or skimmers. I think, but may be wrong, that BioBalls are a replacement for lack of surface area for "bugs" (bio balls are a breeding ground for some real nasty stuff.. the newer rule says only water that moves should be part of your water column). I can quote from other forums that bio balls are a breeding ground for some real nasty stuff.. the newer rule says only water that moves should be part of your water column. I would think all kinds of food parts, dead things, plant branches, and stuff would collect in them and the rot.
The only thing I can think that it has that live rock and sand do not is the fact that they are basically out of the water with water trickle over the balls. If the beneficial bacteria needs that much oxygen to do its job, then this really is the answer. Anybody know about this part???
I like to think of the whole tank as kind of a protein skimmer. Many people like to remove as many small bubble from their tank for clarity and beauty, especially all the little ones generated from a skimmer. I actually purposely put an airstone next to my main return and run it a few hours a day to inject air into my water column. My theory is that this a) will provide oxygen to beneficial bacteria, and b) server to attach to the junk and proteins and float to the top and out the overflow (like a skimmer). Just do not have it on when showing or looking yourself. How does that sound?
Here is Walt's theory. A coastal aquarist has the benefit of bountiful real live rock, not half dead and shipped from south pacific. We also get live sand. If feel that if you have this, you do not need BioBalls in your filters, sumps, or skimmers. I think, but may be wrong, that BioBalls are a replacement for lack of surface area for "bugs" (bio balls are a breeding ground for some real nasty stuff.. the newer rule says only water that moves should be part of your water column). I can quote from other forums that bio balls are a breeding ground for some real nasty stuff.. the newer rule says only water that moves should be part of your water column. I would think all kinds of food parts, dead things, plant branches, and stuff would collect in them and the rot.
The only thing I can think that it has that live rock and sand do not is the fact that they are basically out of the water with water trickle over the balls. If the beneficial bacteria needs that much oxygen to do its job, then this really is the answer. Anybody know about this part???
I like to think of the whole tank as kind of a protein skimmer. Many people like to remove as many small bubble from their tank for clarity and beauty, especially all the little ones generated from a skimmer. I actually purposely put an airstone next to my main return and run it a few hours a day to inject air into my water column. My theory is that this a) will provide oxygen to beneficial bacteria, and b) server to attach to the junk and proteins and float to the top and out the overflow (like a skimmer). Just do not have it on when showing or looking yourself. How does that sound?