Remove Bio Balls from Wet/Dry?

[DrugMonkeyRX]

My system has been up and running for 9-10 months now and i would like to remove the bio balls from my wet/dry filter. Is it ok to just take them out or do i have to remove a few then wait a few days and remove some more? My Tank is a 72G Bow with about 90lbs of LR. I have 1 Clown(added 5/1/11), 1 LTA(added 5/14/11-i should of waited another month or so with this one but i jumped the gun thank god its doing ok), 1 Frogspawn(added 5/1/11), and a toadstool(added 5/14/11) + 2 FireShrimp (5/14/11)

Im also looking into Berlin Sumps and was thinking about swapping it out. When i do decide to make the switch is there anything special i need to know about or do i just swap the water from the old to the new?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jjmoneyman]

Your live rock should be able to handle you bio load but I cannot make drastic changes by taking out all of your bio balls at one. I would take out about 1/4 at a time and check the water daily, it things remain stable after a week or a little longer then take out more.. I started with bio balls as well and my trates and phos plummeted after I got them removed. I removed my over a months time with no problem. I don't know anything about Berlin sumps but they look very nice. I am a big fan of a fuge section in the sump as well if that is an option.

 

[DrugMonkeyRX]

Your live rock should be able to handle you bio load but I cannot make drastic changes by taking out all of your bio balls at one. I would take out about 1/4 at a time and check the water daily, it things remain stable after a week or a little longer then take out more.. I started with bio balls as well and my trates and phos plummeted after I got them removed. I removed my over a months time with no problem. I don't know anything about Berlin sumps but they look very nice. I am a big fan of a fuge section in the sump as well if that is an option.

Thats what i tought, ill start the process tonight when i get home. Thanks for the reply!

 

[jjmoneyman]

Glad to help.

 

[BigAl07]

Great advice. Go slow and remove some out of each water change and stay on top of your testing. The water tests will guide you along your reefing-Jedi ways :LOL: