Temp care for bioballs

[Mark6rules]

My Oceanic 150 trickle filter has developed a leak around the base, and I'm going to try and seal it with Goop brand Aquarium adhesive. Best method is to empty the filter container and seal the entire perimeter, rather than attempting a "hit or miss" method.

What should I do with the bioballs while the adhesive is drying (24 hours)? Does it matter if they dry out, or should I keep them moist? Is there any specific method?

Thanks,
Doug

[beviking]

Keep them moist for sure. Other than keeping them in a seperate tank with a source of ammonia, that's the best thing to do. Keep an eye on ammonia/nitrite spikes after getting the system up and running again and be prepared to do a water change.

[Mark6rules]

Thanks, Beviking...you confirmed my thoughts about keeping the bioballs moist. I put them in a large garbage bag, and put some water in with them. I rinsed the filter tank out with a garden hose to clean the detritus and I placed it at my garage entrance to speed drying. Unfortunately, the aquarium sealer takes 48 hours to cure before I can use the tank, and am concerned about ammonia spikes, but there's not too much I can do except watch my water closely.

[Richer]

I would personally put the bioballs in a bucket of dechlorinated water with a powerhead for circulation. Adding a few drops of ammonia should keep the bioballs cycled.

-Richer

[RTR]

I think I'd go w/Richer's suggestion - wet, aerated, and fed - what more can a bioball ask? ;)

[got_nailed]

I know this won’t look good but if they were in the tank they could still feed on the ammonia, keep wet, and still help out the tank. IMO I think it would be better than a bucket with a few drops of ammonia. Would they float or sink?

[blitzen25bm]

they float, thats what i do whem i do deep cleanings on my ponds filter sponges i just through the balss into the water.

[beviking]

Doh! See what happens when I type b4 processing the info!
It's just the filter you're draining, not the aquarium, right? Then the easiest thing to do is (as got_nailed said) just put them in the tank.
Next best thing is go buy a power head and some pure ammonia (if you don't have them) and put them in a bucket as Richer suggested.
Just be sure to keep them wet.