Any filter media worth having?

[JCM]

After reading a recommendation here, I bought a seachem tide 55 hob filter. I hate the look of it on my tank, but I love the surface skimming it provides! I was sick of seeing that nasty surface.

Anyway, I don't have anything at all in it right now. I saw BRS tested the marine pure block for nitrate removal and it was inconclusive. My nitrates are slightly higher than I'd like, but I can live with them.

Anything that's proven to be beneficial for the tank that I should consider adding to it? I'd rather not add an additional light to it for a refuge.

 

[Denisk]

I run nothing other then a tiny bit of carbon when needed. Use what you feel is needed. If your tank isn’t showing any signs of needing something, then why fix what doesn’t need fixing.

I have used the marine pure blocks for additional bacteria to grow but I wouldn’t say it ever lowered my nitrates. I had the ball version so that way if I ever need to set up another tank, I could use some to seed the new one.

Best of luck!

 

[JCM]

I run nothing other then a tiny bit of carbon when needed. Use what you feel is needed. If your tank isn’t showing any signs of needing something, then why fix what doesn’t need fixing.

I have used the marine pure blocks for additional bacteria to grow but I wouldn’t say it ever lowered my nitrates. I had the ball version so that way if I ever need to set up another tank, I could use some to seed the new one.

Best of luck!

Thanks! Yeah, I run carbon periodically after water changes to clear things up. Im fine with running it empty, just wanted to make sure there wasn't some magic media out there I was missing out on.

 

[Mandelstam]

Maybe some matrix/pumice would work fine? With some room to throw in a bag of carbon when needed like suggested above?

 

[JCM]

Maybe some matrix/pumice would work fine? With some room to throw in a bag of carbon when needed like suggested above?

What are the benefits of the matrix? The filter actually came with a mesh bag of matrix that I haven't tried. I did a bit of research and it sounded like its just a place for bacteria to grow. I assumed I had enough surface area for bacteria in my live rock.

 

[Denisk]

Thanks! Yeah, I run carbon periodically after water changes to clear things up. Im fine with running it empty, just wanted to make sure there wasn't some magic media out there I was missing out on.

No magic media that I know about hahaha. I say run it empty if your tank is doing well. Keep it stupid simple - KISS method!

 

[Mandelstam]

What are the benefits of the matrix? The filter actually came with a mesh bag of matrix that I haven't tried. I did a bit of research and it sounded like its just a place for bacteria to grow. I assumed I had enough surface area for bacteria in my live rock.

Yea, it's bacterial media with a lot of surface area basically. Potentially it can also have some anaerobic areas inside.

If you don't want any extra bacterial media maybe just keep it empty and use for carbon/chemical media if you'd need to sometime or the occasional mechanical water polishing.

 

[JCM]

I took a 3 or 4 year break from the hobby before setting this tank up. It seems in that time, a number of new media's have come to market. If one has proven to reduce nitrates and harbor anaerobic bacteria, I'm interested. But it seems finding more than anecdotal evidence is challenging.

Thank you both for the input!

 

[fermentedhiker]

You could break up some live rock if you have extra into pieces that would fit in the mess bag and use it as bio media