Bio blocks

[Slarti]

Waiting for a stupid back-up to finish so I can go home and thought I will ask a quick question. My 30 gallon tank has a smallish sump and I have a fairly large number of bio blocks and bio spheres in it. The question, is there an ultimate number, can you have to many? Tank has been going for just under 2 years now...

 

[Maritimer]

If your fish can't turn around, or you can't see them ... you may have too many biospheres.

The spheres and blocks are really just a place to grow bacteria. The bacteria will grow to take up as much space as they need, based on available nutrient - and then their populations will level off. Some folks have noted that the bioblocks/biospheres can leach aluminum into the water, which is also something to consider.

~Bruce, who has one bioblock in his sump, and another hidden under the rock in his display

 

[Slarti]

If your fish can't turn around, or you can't see them ... you may have too many biospheres.

The spheres and blocks are really just a place to grow bacteria. The bacteria will grow to take up as much space as they need, based on available nutrient - and then their populations will level off. Some folks have noted that the bioblocks/biospheres can leach aluminum into the water, which is also something to consider.

~Bruce, who has one bioblock in his sump, and another hidden under the rock in his display

So you saying if they start growing arms and legs trying to climb over the blocks it is time to remove some?

It is very cramped down there so was thinking of removing some and tidy it up a little.

 

[Maritimer]

My only suggestion would be that if you remove some, do so gradually to allow the remaining bacteria to adjust.

~Bruce

 

[Slarti]

Appreciate the advice, will do that. Another question, what do I do with the blocks I remove i.e. how to I clean/keep them? Some bleach and then sun dried maybe?