Sponges Or Ceramics?

[Schmill]

I want to try and increase the bio-capacity of my external canister filter, as at the moment I don't seem to be able to store a sufficient number of N_Bacs to get my nitrIte levels to zero.

At the moment I have as per the manufacturers design:

Bio-Balls, 15ppi Blue Sponge, ceramics, 15ppi Blue Sponge, Black Sponge 35ppi, Polishing Wool / Floss

So I am wondering, what will give the best Bio-environment for the N-Bacs, Sponge or Ceramics? I am thinking of removing the second "15ppi Blue Sponge" and replacing it with extra ceramics, but don't want to do this if it won't gain anything, or worse, causes issues.

Thoughts please peeps

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Schmill and Happy New Year to you,

I believe technically ceramics are better, boasting larger surface area. However, I personally have always used sponges (just a personal preference) and find them to be more user friendly, especially when it comes to cleaning the filter media.

If i'm being honest, I don't think it makes a huge difference either way.

Replacing a sponge shouldn't cause issues with your filter, but what i would recommend is squeezing in an extra sponge / ceramics without removing any if possible. That would just be safer with you still cycling.

You can always remove a sponge at a letr date once the colonies are well established.

Also, all manufacturers are different, but the fact that you have blue sponges and a black sponge indicates that the black sponge may be a carbon media. Do you know if it is or not?

If it is, it would be better replaced by a simple bio-media sponge, but again, i'd leave it in until the cycle is complete if possible.

Is there any spaces you could squeeze some extra media in?

BTT

edit: I had a quick read of your cycling journal earlier, but didn't have time to reply. It looks to me like your filter doesn't have the capacity to filter your tank properly. Don't I remember you mentioning that you thought you had the wrong filter for the tank?

 

[Schmill]

Hi BTT, yeah I did wonder about the filter capacity, but Aqua One are adament that that is the filter they provide for that tank, (and it's newer counter part the CF1250), so i guess it's just down to the fact that we dose with 5ppm, which I understand is the equivalent of a VERY VERY heavy stock of fish, (or indeed VERY messy fish), so I'm starting to think I'll just leave it as it is, and if I ever decide to go crazy with my stocking, then I'll just be prepared that I will need another filter, or a larger one.
The only reason I ask about sponge Vs ceramics is it would have been nice to get the nitrItes down to 0 in 12 hrs if it was a simple and worthwhile change, but as the filter is I just can't see it happening.
As provided from Aqua One the baskets are pretty well packed already, so I don't think I could add anything without removing something else first. The only little space there is, is a free water space at the very bottom of the filter for sediment settling, I might be able to put something in there, (as opposed to the baskets), but I'm not sure what it would gain as the water isn't 'forced' to go through that path.
It does just seem like the 1200 series external filters from Aqua One perhaps can't handle the 5ppm dosing and dropping both ammonia & nitrIte within 12 hrs.
'Stubedo' on here has the same tank, but I think the slightly newer version of the filter, so I am watching his cycle log with interest too

 

[Schmill]

Just reading this topic now in the Scientific Section:

When is a cycle Finished?

Only at post #5 at the moment, but VERY interesting so far, especially the maths based on the various production levels, and the resulting comments from MW

1 mg/L of ammonia becomes 2.7 mg/L of nitrite becomes 3.6 mg/L of nitrate. And since mg/L is pretty close to the same to as ppm, those ratios are the same for ppm.

 

[saz326]

As previously mentioned - do you know if the black sponge is a carbon sponge?

carbon sponges are not needed in general running of an aquarium. Used mainly to remove medications post treatment.

what you want is something with a high surface area. Sponges have good surface areas due to all the holes in them. Ceramics (depending on type) can have a far greater surface area as they are porous on a microscale.

Higher surface area means more bacteria = better water quality (vague I know but you get the idea)

 

[Schmill]

Sorry missed that bit!

I am 99% sure that the black sponge is not carbon at all, just black coloured for easy identification against the courser blue sponges.

So seems like perhaps some ceramic 'might' help, I've got 2 weeks until my fish hopefully turn up, so if I can find some cheep ceramics I might give it a try

 

[smegforbrains]

Aqua One black sponges are not carbon. Why they chose black to determine the ppm difference from the blue ones, smeg knows.


Aqua One do not make carbon sponges, only bags of activated carbon particles.