CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Anybody know anywhere that sells bioballs online cheap?
(didn't see any at big al's)

Trying to get the big tanks I built up and running and figured (guessed) I'll need about 150 gallons worth of bioballs (everyone local lists them by the gallon(s)) anyways the cheapest I have found that many locally (wholesale even) is $916.68:(



Or am I figureing on useing to many bioballs?
I need to filter :
1,800 gallons in tank water + 200-400 in the wet/dry's so roughly 2000 - 2,200 (split between 4 wet/dry and 4 tanks)

Anyone a little more familiar with bioballs know how many I'll actually need? Am I over estimateing how many I should use?


Between the dang bioballs,pumps and UV sterilizers (I may skip those now) The filters are looking to be around $2,000.00 Theres gotta be a way to cut my costs at least a little?

My buddy just stopped by after work to pick up some parts and suggested golf balls I think that might actually work anyone tried that?

Im not sure what you would call it there but have you considered using aggy rock.
Ive used 30mm aggy rock with success in place of bio balls in a 30g sump.

ACtually I seem to remember some americans talking about using lava rock in place of bio balls on a forum somewhere.

lava rock = light, bumpy,...has many holes.......excellent for bacteria culture... =]

i think bio balls is juss a way to waste an newbie's (person new to the hobby) money....cus deng...its expensive...and its not much

there are many thangs you can use that can be as good as bioballs...... like gravel.....wood stuff.....rocks.....sand......everything you can think of that doesnt have an effect on the water

hmmmm

Thanks for the ideas

I was debateing trying lava rock - but couldn't find any information as to weather it would change my PH or not

I'm not sure what aggy rock is maybe someone I know here will know I'll check around.



I thought of some of the other things mentioned but they all seemed to present some kind of problems :
Sand - hard to keep "dry" (air exposed) spots for the wet/dry
gravel - hard to keep the "dry" spots
wood - hard to regulate PH and keep the water clear.
rocks - depending what they are,could be PH probems (alot are limestone)
pingpong balls-were also suggested to me but being so flat and smooth seem pointless


So far I think I'll look more into:
aggy rock (assuming we have it here )
Lava rock
golf balls
cut and drilled sections of PVC (another suggestion I just got)
or maybe a combination of all of them


I actully think bioballs are nice due to the large amount of surface area they give you and their lightweight but almost $1,000 for bioballs (after shipping is added) just isn't something I'm willing to pay.

Theres noway I'm going to pay more for bioballs then it cost me to make the tanks.

Yeah pretty expensive here too.
Depending on size you pay 10 to 25cents each (aud)

Another possible idea is bones, I told you about the fishing line in chat but that would be a real pain I reckon.

Another possible idea is bones

thats all I need ,if people come to my house and start seeing 100 gallon set-ups full of bones ,I'd be explaining my set-up to the police,the judge and probally a psychiatrist

I gave fishing line a little thought and although It'd take to much and be a huge knotted mess - it did make me figure maybe I can use nylon rope?

Yeah pretty expensive here too.Depending on size you pay 10 to 25cents each (aud)

Thats actually not to bad the cheapest way I can get them here "WHOLESALE" is to buy them in 7.5 gallon tubs of 900 for $45.58 (u.s$ per tub at 20 tubs or more) so roughly 6 cents each(18,000 balls at a time), retail the 7.5 gal size is anywhere from $180 -$259 or by the gallon they like $55 to $80.

Maybe I'll get a mold and start makeing bioballs as a career? lol

Don't know if this would work. In my area there is a recycling plant. They chip up plastics. Could you use that inplace fo the bio-balls. I know you can get it for really cheap and it wouldn't affect you water chemistry.
I'm sure you can get it if you asked. It would be really cheap.

http://www.thekrib.com/Filters/noodles.html

these guys mention DIY media from green plastic army men to old shotgun shells...