Best Biological Filter options

[lumberjacks215]

I am getting a Red Sea 170 (43 G, 34/9) and I am trying to reduce energy output in the tank while maintaining a high filtration rate. I am going to add a refugium in the sump and wanted advice on the best biological options (cheto vs bio balls vs live rock vs combo vs something I don’t know about ) for filtration in a reef stocked aquarium. Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’m liking the Marine Pure balls

those bricks crumble over time, the balls seem a lil more durable

 

[MaxTremors]

Live rock in display and rubble or marine pure blocks in sump.

 

[LeftyReefer]

I'm still a fan of Seachem Matrix. Works as well as MP, but doesn't have any of the same issues... breaking down, dusting, leaching aluminum, etc...

 

[jft]

Sera siporax and Eheim ehfisubtrate been around for years and years with GREAT results.

 

[Doctorgori]

I'm still a fan of Seachem Matrix. Works as well as MP, but doesn't have any of the same issues... breaking down, dusting, leaching aluminum, etc...

yeah that and their De-Nitrate product is some kind of rocks, er “Lab Grade Mineral” ..
Anyway, supposedly the De-Nitrate product works as a standard bio filter when used in higher flow rates and is cheaper per volume than the Matrix…they look same/similar to me besides…

I use them in air driven corner filters…either work good

 

[Rubberfrog]

smash up a bunch of live rock and stuff it in there

 

[Malcontent]

Surface area isn't a limiter so use whatever is least likely to clog, cheapest, and most durable: