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Bio balls are used to hold the beneficial bacteria from your tank and not for removing waste products from the system. We recommend that these are used after the water flows through filter foam as the foam will catch and remove any debris from the water meaning these will not get stuck in the groves of the Bio balls.
How often should you change bio balls?
see less Bio balls don’t really need replaced. They simply provide a foundation for the helpful bacteria to cling to. In fact replacing them would remove a huge amount of good bacteria that you need. Carbon on the other hand needs replaced.
Are bio balls good for aquarium?
Now, you may have been warned that bio balls are no good for your aquarium because they can become a nitrite factory. Dead leaves, poop, uneaten fish food and other waste can become trapped in the bio balls’ patterned structure. When this happens, the waste can break down and lead to a spike in nitrate levels.
How long do Bio balls take to work?
Most new aquariums take 3-6 weeks to fully cycle, meaning that the nitrogen cycle can successfully process ammonia into nitrates.
Are bio balls better than ceramic?
Bio balls should only be used for biological filtration only. They simply exist to trap and remove waste. Ceramic rings will ultimately trap more bad stuff, but your bio balls will ultimately do a better job of denitrifying bacteria.
Can I reuse old bio balls?
You can use them, but you’ll have to rinse detritus out of them frequently or they become a nitrate factory.
Are bio balls worth it?
Bio balls provide a place for all the good nitrifying bacteria you need in your tank to live. The surface of each bio ball is designed to have as much surface area as possible so the bacteria have as much as possible to cling to.
How often should I clean my bio filter?
The general rule of thumb is to clean your aquarium filter, regardless of type, once every month (four weeks). Though, you want to wait at least a week from your last cleaning, of the tank or filter, before your next session to help your fish adjust to the new conditions in the tank.
What is inside bio balls?
Bio balls are small, pegged plastic balls mainly used as the biological media in aquarium filters. 2. These little plastic bio balls have TONS of surface area for the growth of bacteria for filtration. They are used as the biological media in salt water and fresh water aquariums as well as ponds.
Can you have too much bio media?
Can you have too much bio media? Yes, especially in a planted tank where the plants are doing a lot of the bio filtration. The excess volume of bio media may take up the space in the filter that could be better used by more mechanical media.
Should I use bio balls in a reef tank?
Bio Balls can be used in saltwater aquariums but if left uncleaned they easily trap detritus which can lead to high nitrates & phosphates. They provide a large surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize however newer technology is available to work more efficiently & require less maintenance.
What do bio rings do?
Ceramic rings are biological media that provides a very large surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow and live. This bacteria on your ceramic rings is required to complete the Nitrogen Cycle in your tank, which converts harmful ammonia and nitrite in to the less harmful nitrate.
How many bio balls are needed per gallon?
Excellent filtration media for bacteria colonization; each bioball is approximately 1.5″ x 1.25″ in diameter. 750 bioballs equal 1 cubic foot, and 100 bioballs equal 1 gallon.
How long does bio media last?
Bio-media does clog over time, and it is recommended to provide clean filter media for effective colonization by bacteria. This family of nitrifying bacteria will benefit from partial media changes every 3-6 months to ensure clean porous surfaces are available.
Do bio balls float?
Yes. They float. But when placed into a confined space they did fill the area no problem.
How long do ceramic balls last?
Even the manufacturers don’t agree! Fluval, for example, recommends that ceramic rings be swapped out every 6 months. Marineland, another ceramic filter manufacturer, states that the rings should never be replaced.
Where do you place bio balls?
Place the bio balls in the stream of water running through your fish tank’s filter. Although bio balls will catch some pieces of algae, they are not meant to be used as a physical filter. Installing them downstream of a filter membrane will help keep them from clogging.
How often should I change my canister filter media?
Be sure to replace the filter media at least every three to four weeks and give the filter housing a quick rinse. If any algae or debris has accumulated in the intake tube, clean that as well.
How do you clean bio balls?
If you just want to clean the gunk out of the bio-balls and don’t care about the bacteria that is on them, just put your dirty bio-balls into an old pillow case and run it through your washing machine on the “gentle” cycle with a little laundry detergent for a few minutes.
Can I reuse bio media?
You can bleach it with no worries. You can also simply rinse it very well in fresh water and use it.. There is nothing in / on the biomedia coming from saltwater that will harm a fresh water tank. I have switch media back and forth from fresh to salt many times and never had an issue.
Can you reuse filter media?
These filter media types are reusable, have much more surface area for biological filtration, and can increase the amount of capacity filtration by up to four times! Coarse sponge pads remove debris from the water and can be reused by rinsing them on a monthly basis.
Where do bio balls go in sump?
They are not intended to trap detritus and particles, and if you are using them in the sump, should be placed in the area of your sump least likely to come into contact with detritus, normally closest to the return. Detritus should be removed through other forms of filtration such as a filter socks or filter sponges.
What levels should my fish tank be?
Most freshwater fish thrive when you have a pH level between 6.6 and 7.8. If, after conducting a pH test, you find the pH level to be unacceptable, you can raise or lower your pH levels by purchasing chemical products from your local pet store such as Aquarium Pharmaceuticals pH Up or pH Down.
