Bio balls

[Tetranerd]

I need to hear pros and cons of use of bioballs in a planted tank. I was asked, and couldnt answer intelligently.....

[myjohnson]

How are you trying to use them, in a canister or wet/dry?

Also, how big is your tank and what lighting do you have?

CO2 set up?

[Tetranerd]

I myself am not trying to use them. I was asked about the use of bioballs in a planted tank. I could not give a good answer on that subject.

If you want my specs, co2 tank (pressurized), 120 gallon with overflow and 20+ gallon sump. 16 feet of t8 flourescent lighting.

[TurbodreamZ]

I don't see how they can be a bad thing. they might restrict waterflow a little... other than that I can't think of anything else

[inkslinger]

They are use in wet-dry where as the water will trickle over the bio balls an give your system more o2 and degas co2 , In a sump the bio balls would be under water so you should not have the problem of degassing your co2 just a place for bacteria to grow.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?94937-Aquarium-Filtration-101

http://www.swisstropicals.com/Poret Filter Foam.html

Poret sponge is another good filteration instead of bio balls

[davemonkey]

Seems like they'd make a good media in a canister filter. Mix them with something more coarse (like lava stone, for example) and you have 2 media surfaces for your aerobic and anaerobic bacteria bed (each will adhere better to its respective surface...I forget which adheres to which).