Best Filter Media ?

[suzanne]

I have always - up to now-used the standard media supplied with the filter. Is there an idiots guide to the pros & cons of different media types ?

 

[Themuleous]

Not that I know of, but as far as I can see, is there anything that the fancy ceramic disk things do that normal sponge cant? Not that I can see, its just a way to get more money out of you. I've only ever used sponge and its never failed on me and I don't change is very few months either like they 'recommend'.

Sam

 

[three-fingers]

I find sponge the best, it does clog up faster but I think it's better than the ceramic media, it provides more surface area for bacteria anyway .

 

[andywg]

Most deisgned ceramic media (such as Fluval biomax) contain a higher amount of surface area per volume than sponge through small hollows through the material as well as the non-smooth surface.

With filter media it is a trade off. The more surface are per volume, the larger area for bacterial colonisation, but you then find yourself at the point where the media gets clogged up very quickly, thus reducing how effectively it hosts bacteria.

Bioballs are a fantastic source of high surface area, but without good mechanical filtration they will clog up very quickly. That is why most large filters have different stages of filtration (and why it is fine to rinse purely mechanical filtration under the tap).

for mechanical filtration, the smaller the route through the media, the more physical waste will be removed, but obviously it will have to be cleaned more often. I use filter floss on my wet dry towers as it removes almost all of the detritus, however it needs rinsing off far more often than a sponge would.

 

[suzanne]

thanks,
I have carbon in one of my filters - what does that do ?
and I've heard of putting peat in the filter to lower pH - does anybody know about this ?

 

[vinylman]

Carbon is a waste of space unless you need to clear medications from your tank water. Take out the carbon and put in an extra filter sponge.