Bio Balls vs. Rubble Rock

[chriscobb]

What is the difference between bio balls or rubble rock in your sump.....Both seems to serve the same purpose and wouldn't or couldn't both become a problem with nitrates as many claim bio balls are?

[forensicdoc]

I would also be interested in any opinions on this. Thanks!

[chriscobb]

.

[old salty]

I use rubble rock for the sole purpose that it is more natural than bio balls. Oddly enough, the rock cost me the same as if I were to use the balls instead. The rock is fully submerged, so the balls would have been as well. Again, I did it more for the natural aspects.

[BeanAnimal]

Rock has more pourous surface area than the bioballs. Are you running them submerged or in a wet/dry config?

Bean

[chriscobb]

I'm not running bio balls just thinking what would be the difference if they would be submerged just as the rubble rock????

[BeanAnimal]

Use rock... it will provide a much better mechanism for nitrogen cycling.

Bean

[chriscobb]

Still not sold on it

[8BALL_99]

I have wondered the Exact Same thing.. I've even seen a few refuges with eggcrate boxes filled with bioballs under water.. It seems like it would have a ton of surface area and would still alow better water flow then a pile of ruble.. ...

[Blown 346]

The main use of Live rock rubble is it acts as a natural filter and wont store and hold Nitrates like the Bio balls do. Yeah some crap could be caught in the rock just like anything that small particles can get stuck in. If you look at Bio balls there are tons of surface area where the junk will get stuck and normal water flow wont be able to clear it out.
That is the main reason why people dont use bioballs. It just makes more sence to use something natural as a filter media than plastic round balls that make matters worse and store alot of detritus.
IMO bio bals are fine for a fish only setup, but for a reef or a fuge it isnt such a good idea for the main reasons stated above.
Even though this subject can be talked about for hours where some say Bio balls are the way to go or they arent.
Just try each out by itself and se what you like better. IME Bio balls have done more bad than good as far as filter media in a sump or fuge.

[-=DieselDave=-]

I belive the diference is that Bio balls do not have an Anoxic(sp?) zone(pores that have little to no O2 for Denitifiying bacteria to live.)

[hig789]

can you use lvie rock rubble in a wet/ dry style sump?

[nolofinwe]

I like dave's answer best. if it was me, however, i'd use the bioballs.

when doing a water change, just shake out the balls in the used tank water.

if you already have rock in the tank, though, why bother with either? Are you going to use them as a baffle in your sump?

[Psyire]

Bioballs float, LR does not. Depending on your situation, this might be something to consider. eg. Much easier to keep LR on media trays when it's not trying to float away.

[sandisct]

Tot someone here ever said that bio balls are actually harmful to the reef system???

[Blown 346]

Originally posted by hig789
can you use lvie rock rubble in a wet/ dry style sump?
Yes, that is what most of us reefers do.

[Blown 346]

Originally posted by sandisct
Tot someone here ever said that bio balls are actually harmful to the reef system???
They can be from them holding all the detritus, which will cause High Nitrates.