getting rid of my bioballs

[Franklin]

I'm finally getting rid of my bioballs in my wet/dry filter. Im wondering if its important that I take them out gradually, or if I can just take them out all at once. If I need to do it slowly, how much can I take out at a time, and how long do I need to wait in between removals?
Thanks a lot

[Franklin]

I also have 35-40 lbs of liverock and a 3" crushed coral/sand bed. I have a precision marine skimmer. Will these provide sufficient filtration if I remove the wet/dry? My tank is 45 gallons, with a half filled 29g sump.

[scubadude]

Hi Franklin

If the rock you just put in is cured then I would say start removing the bioballs, and maybe do 20-35% for 3-4 weeks depending on how much detritus you will stir up from the accumulation of your bioballs. I would definately turn off all flow in the bioball containment area, take some bioballs out and give a few minutes settling time b4 you turn back on flow. I would also test my nitrate levels during and make sure there is no spike if there is a spike then stop moving them or possibly the rock is still curing? Just monitor the water levels during the time you do the incremental transition and base the speed of your increments and their percentages on your readings.

[Franklin]

I've actually had the rock in for about a year now, if that makes a difference

[scubadude]

I've actually had the rock in for about a year now, if that makes a difference

Yup makes a big difference especially if you have good life growth on your LR. I think you are ok to remove some of the bioballs as long as your parms all look good, your skimmer and rock should do fine in replacing the job that the bioballs have, and they should be much more effecient than the bioballs. Maybe clean your skimmer real good before you do the first bioball removing so it has a chance to pick up the release if any from the transition.