Filter Media Query

[Dazzler666]

Hi all. I have a 120 litre tank with a APS 1400 external filter. I have removed the carbon media and am wondering, is it worth adding more ceramic rings and/or bio balks in the spare compartment?! What is the difference between ceramic rings & bio balls?
I have around 20 fish made up of various tetras & rasboras at present but will be adding other fish soon tho not sure what.
Any advice is most welcome!

 

[Juggler75]

Always worth adding more media

Various forms of biomedia (where good bacteria can colonise surface area) are bioballs, scintered (sp) glass, pourous ceramics etc, even nylon pot scrubbers or shower schrunchies as long as they don't have any soap in/on them

Ceramic rings are in two forms those that aren't porous eg eheim efimech whose main job is as a mechanical filter and to distribute the flow in the cannister and the porous rings which double up as a mechanical filter in similar way to efimech and also allow a lot more bacteria to colonise their porous nature.

Sponges can also be used to fill the gap left after taking the carbon out and they'll act as both mechanical and biological media.

HTH

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Sorry to jump in but I'm interested too lol. What's the best alternative then? Bioballs? Ceramic?

 

[KISSfn]

Since I use Eheim Substrat Pro (Sintered Glass) I'm gonna say it's the best. My NH3 is at 0.005 so I can't complain.

 

[Juggler75]

In my externals I have eheim efimech then sponge then substrat pro then another sponge. Works well for me. General rule is more surface area = more space for bacs to colonise. Porous materials generally have more surface area.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I am a huge fan of the lowly sponge. All 25 running AquaClears run sponges and some floss. Sponge the intakes too. In one of my 2 Eheim Pro IIs I replaced the noodles in the bottom basket with sponges.

Sponges- cheap, durable, easy to clean, can be cut to shape and size- gotta love em.

Big pored ones for more mech than bio, fine pored ones for more bio than mech.

 

[Dazzler666]

Hmm, interesting point about the sponges although are they safe as obviously you don't know how or what they've been made with?! How do you lot clean your sponges prior to putting them in the filter?
As per the question tho, is or which would be better, bio balls or the ceramic rings for colonising bacteria? Or should I add both?!
Really appreciate the great advice all!!

 

[Juggler75]

You can get sponges for pond filters (normally huge and really cheap) and cut them to size. I've known others use brand new sponges from halfords (obviously the sealed ones) cut to size. Generally new sponges are safe (apart from those preinfused with soap). No need to clean them just soak them in some water to get rid of air and put in. Any sponges that have been previously used in a bathroom or kitchen are a no-no