Ruddybop's UAS test

[ruddybop]

It's too big for the amount of feeding, so the growth stays thin.

Ok...I have had nitrate problems with this tank forever... I changed 140Gallons in three days and it's still high 40 to 80 .. Going to do another water change tomorrow.

I got reading and found that Bio Balls with a drip tray causes the oxygen/water/bacteria to make a nitrate factory..I have 8Gallons of Bio Balls with 1 Gallon under water. Sooo I am doing some changes.. Bio Balls are now completely submerged under water except for about an inch with scrubbies mixed in.. Drip tray is elevated about 8 inches above.

And...I cut back on feeding because of my nitrate problem(reason for making this) But I realized the scrubber can't filter if it doesn't have food, so I have continued to feed my normal amount.

These guys are pigs....

[sklywag]

Why not remove those balls and drop your scrubber in their place?

[ruddybop]

Why not remove those balls and drop your scrubber in their place?

Lol...because I'm scared to.... This FW 220G tank has been set up for 21 months with Sump, FX5, Fluval 305 (Both Fluval media baskets are set up for Biological filtration). Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate---All over the place.

I am open to suggestions though....I'm just afraid of loosing my Bio Filtration

[kerry]

Well you have plenty of places for BB to grow for sure because your nitrate is high. I would start by taking about a gallon or two of balls out every day or every other and watch the nutrients. I did this same thing after I started my 150G FW scrubber. I had better results when I finally got all the balls out. The only BB material I kept was the bio wheel on the H.O.T Magnum. You will have plenty of surface area for BB like the glass, substrate, and rock type ornaments.

[ruddybop]

Day 31

Well my growth is still green and it's starting to get a slight 3D to it.
Any suggestions?
Clean it or let it go longer?

It doesn't have a good smell to it......lol


Front of screen




Back of screen

[ruddybop]

Well you have plenty of places for BB to grow for sure because your nitrate is high. I would start by taking about a gallon or two of balls out every day or every other and watch the nutrients. I did this same thing after I started my 150G FW scrubber. I had better results when I finally got all the balls out. The only BB material I kept was the bio wheel on the H.O.T Magnum. You will have plenty of surface area for BB like the glass, substrate, and rock type ornaments.

Oh and Kerry..... I took a couple of gallons of bio balls out... I'll work on getting more out in a few more days...

I removed my Fluval 305 and put it on the 55 in the garage. So I just have the sump and FX5......

[SantaMonica]

Clean

[ruddybop]

Clean

Thanks SM... All clean .... Sometimes you say let it go for 14 days so I figure I would ask.... I think you say that for the fresh starting scrubbers don't you?

[SantaMonica]

Depends how it's growing. Yours was dark and dying.

[ruddybop]

Well you have plenty of places for BB to grow for sure because your nitrate is high. I would start by taking about a gallon or two of balls out every day or every other and watch the nutrients. I did this same thing after I started my 150G FW scrubber. I had better results when I finally got all the balls out. The only BB material I kept was the bio wheel on the H.O.T Magnum. You will have plenty of surface area for BB like the glass, substrate, and rock type ornaments.

Kerry....I ran into this Bio Ball Tower for a Koi Pond... I found this very interesting write up. It explains the whole Biological filtration and how bio balls can filter ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate if made correctly. The surrounding air plays an important role in a bio ball tower to get rid of gases so wet/drys aren't a nitrite factory. Are wet/drys are enclosed so the gases cant escape... This link explains it better with video...

http://lukmannet.blogspot.com/2010/1...ical-pond.html