Filter Media

[Rorie]

I have heard many theories, but wonder which is best:

I have heard that the media that comes in most external filters is rubbish - all these plastic bio balls, then the ceramic nodes etc etc. I was told the best thing i could do was ditch the lot, and replace it with 100% sponge filter media! So i did this with one filter.

I was then introduced to Sera siporax - a fancy version of ceramic nodes. I am told all other ceramic nodes are a waste of time as they are trying to copy siporax... so i replaced my sponge media with a filter full of siporax (after hearing a few good reviews)

With just sponge media, what relevance is the grade? I have done really fine grade, and then some really large chunky and open sponge.

I guess it all comes down to what the bacteria will grow on the best, and the most. But what is the best?

I have a load of bio balls and ceramic nodes kicking about taking up space....i am trying to decide if i should keep them, use them, sell them or ditch them!

 

[Liamm]

With just sponge media, what relevance is the grade? I have done really fine grade, and then some really large chunky and open sponge.

Fine sponges trap smaller particles but clog quicker, where as large sponges don't trap small particles as much but take longer to clog

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Im no exepert but bacteria just need a home, i dont belive it cares if it on noodles or balls. I belive the differnce is surface area on the them and the more the better as you can have larger amount of bacteria?

 

[Rorie]

Im no exepert but bacteria just need a home, i dont belive it cares if it on noodles or balls. I belive the differnce is surface area on the them and the more the better as you can have larger amount of bacteria?

Well thats what i thought too ahaha. But there are so many different types, i thought there must be a reason!

 

[Monty-2010]

I use a mixture of sponge, noodles, bio balls, fine filter wool

the sponge basically acts as mechanical filtration i.e. it stop the bigger bits from getting through
the noodles and bio balls act as biological filtration i.e. this is where the bacteria lives. the reason for all different types are mainly just marketing gimmicks, never used the sera brand before so i won't comment on those. the thing to aim for is the biggest surface area
you can add chemical filtration such as carbon and zeolite but are't always necessary
the fine filter wool catches the really tiny particles

 

[Rorie]

I use a mixture of sponge, noodles, bio balls, fine filter wool

the sponge basically acts as mechanical filtration i.e. it stop the bigger bits from getting through
the noodles and bio balls act as biological filtration i.e. this is where the bacteria lives. the reason for all different types are mainly just marketing gimmicks, never used the sera brand before so i won't comment on those. the thing to aim for is the biggest surface area
you can add chemical filtration such as carbon and zeolite but are't always necessary
the fine filter wool catches the really tiny particles

Thats what i figured too. But does the sponge must hold biological filtration too?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

I use a mixture of sponge, noodles, bio balls, fine filter wool

the sponge basically acts as mechanical filtration i.e. it stop the bigger bits from getting through
the noodles and bio balls act as biological filtration i.e. this is where the bacteria lives. the reason for all different types are mainly just marketing gimmicks, never used the sera brand before so i won't comment on those. the thing to aim for is the biggest surface area
you can add chemical filtration such as carbon and zeolite but are't always necessary
the fine filter wool catches the really tiny particles

Thats what i figured too. But does the sponge must hold biological filtration too?

yes it does, that how sponge only filter hold bacteria like in my shrimp tank

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

You need to bear in mind the design of the filter and the flow of water through it.

I would stick to manufacturers recommendations for the type of media in any specific location. However, there is nothing stopping you from putting another manufacturers media in its place if it is the same type.
For example, a tray that holds several hundred bio balls or bio noodles would have a vast surface area for housing bacterial colonies for bio filtration. To replace this with sponge would not make sense as it would be more difficult to clean/rinse debris off it and likely to impair flow rate.

It all depends on your setup and what you want to achieve.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Quick hi jack as barry got me thinking, if seeding a external filter with a large sponge is best to cut of the sponge into small cubes to helps water flow through the trays, would this kill bacteria or am i over thinkning lol

 

[Rorie]

Quick hi jack as barry got me thinking, if seeding a external filter with a large sponge is best to cut of the sponge into small cubes to helps water flow through the trays, would this kill bacteria or am i over thinkning lol

Bacteria is on a micro level, so you would only be killing the bits on the cut line....but then again, you may not even be killing it as its so small

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Quick hi jack as barry got me thinking, if seeding a external filter with a large sponge is best to cut of the sponge into small cubes to helps water flow through the trays, would this kill bacteria or am i over thinkning lol

I used two 35mm square pieces of sponge to seed the filter on my big tank.
I put them in the lowest tray after the prefilter which contained mech substrate for mechanical filtration. The water then flowed into three trays of bio media.

I have since passed these sponges onto other folk to help them!

BBA - you could cut it up to put it into different trays but i dont think it would be too drastic during cycling.

 

[Geoff-]

the theory behind noodles or bio balls is that the bacteria attach to them, and you never replace the media like you do with sponge / filter floss.

if you had a filter with 100% filter floss and chucked it all out and put new floss in you would have no bacteria colony left!! if you had 50% noodles and 50% floss and replaced all the floss you should still have enough bacteria on the noodles to kick-start the colony again.

bacteria live where the food and oxygen are most abundant however - i see a biofilm of bacteria growing very quickly on my filter floss and the noodles don't really change appearance so i have no idea how much of a benefit noodles really make. you could certainly make a filter out of 100% filter floss, and change 50% of the media at a time making sure the old media was always hit by the water first (the current flow will help push bacteria through the media to the new material).