Drop Magnum and bio balls in favor of rock and sand?

[tnpete]

I've got a 50 gallon tank with live sand and 65lbs of live rock. I've got a bio ball, Magnum 350 (I use reef carbon in it), skimmer setup. It's an acrylic tank with everything built-in, in the back...except for the Magnum, which is below in tank. I was just told by an employee at a fish store that with the live rock and sand, I don't need the bio balls and Magnum, and they are simply a conductor for nitrates and ammonia (and the reef carbon in the Magnum is bad for my setup) and that I only need the skimmer and a power head. I've just purchased a dual light canopy with one actinic and one while bulb. With this purchase, I've just purchased a long tentacle anemone to accompany by fish (all coral friendly). I plan to add a coral of some type to my tank once every 6-8 weeks.

Disclaimer: I'm 16 months new to this hobby. I just joined DFWMAS and this is my first post.

 

[timthetoolman]

Welcome tnpete.
I'm not sure what setup your talking about but if you can post a picture it would help. If you need some help with that PM me.

Typically bioballs do a good job at ammonia removal. They have been suspected in producing nitrates. My only assumption is that they do not provide an adequate environment for the bacteria that convert nitrates. Basically the bacteria can live in the sand and the live rock (LR) as well so it is rather redundant unless you have a lot of fish or large fish.

Tim