Bio-Brick Degrading?

[Greg Depo]

Hey guys is it normal for bio bricks to begin degrading? The photo is hard to see but in the center the brick is degrading. Is this safe or should I replace them? They’re about a year old.

 

[Arcticfirefighter]

Those become very brittle as they age, mine have done the same thing. I have a Bio-Brick on the bottom and some Bio-Balls on top in my sump, all of them become brittle over time and I have replaced about once a year. I am starting to wonder if it is even worth it. I have started to replace them with dry rock rubble slowly, and I think it will be better over time. The dry rock won't have to be replaced and because it is pieces of Pukani, there are plenty of places for "life" to thrive. I don't think I will be spending the money on any of the "Bio" products anymore, just can't justify the cost vs reward.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Below not a personal attack.

With cell phones around advertising 50 gazzilion pixels, how do people manage to take such bad pics.


That said, bio-brick (and it says so on the box) is supposed to be placed in an area of low flow as the high flow can destroy the product. Much the way winding rivers ate away at super hard rock over the years. I have 4 of them in my sump and they are perfectly fine.

Further, reach out to the manufacturer to see if they can replace it for you.

 

[92Miata]

Below not a personal attack.

With cell phones around advertising 50 gazzilion pixels, how do people manage to take such bad pics.

Because like 80% of cell phone cameras aren't capable of properly white balancing pure blue light.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Because like 80% of cell phone cameras aren't capable of properly white balancing pure blue light.

Today's cell phones are capable of capturing better than above with slightly more than no light. Blue light will certainly cause color shift but the above example is like a recent meme I saw on here similar to this.

 

[SR Reefing]

Hey guys is it normal for bio bricks to begin degrading? The photo is hard to see but in the center the brick is degrading. Is this safe or should I replace them? They’re about a year old.

Yeah it's common...I had the same thing happen to me. Won't buy anything like bio ball or bio brick ever again.

 

[92Miata]

Today's cell phones are capable of capturing better than above with slightly more than no light. Blue light will certainly cause color shift but the above example is like a recent meme I saw on here similar to this.

Low light, and monochrome light are not the same thing.


Again, many cell phone cameras do not allow manual white balance. The flagship phones (Pixel, Iphone 12, etc) are great - but if you're buying $200 phones, reef photos are tough for the people who like to run their tanks toilet-bowl-blue.


His photo isn't great - but its fine. Its pretty easy to tell what's going on.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Low light, and monochrome light are not the same thing.


Again, many cell phone cameras do not allow manual white balance. The flagship phones (Pixel, Iphone 12, etc) are great - but if you're buying $200 phones, reef photos are tough for the people who like to run their tanks toilet-bowl-blue.


His photo isn't great - but its fine. Its pretty easy to tell what's going on.

I dont want to take away from his thread as I don't know anybody who buys $200 phones when carriers are giving away better for free.

That said, take a look at post #50 here

Brightwell XPORT BIO BRICK: Need Help!

I haven't the bricks arrived in perfect condition the erosion occurred once placed in sump , took six weeks before it was apparent. I will see what Brightwell has to say. Yes. The Brightwells do fall apart. I have a local reefer who reported the same thing. Added it to the sump. Little over a...

www.reef2reef.com

Additionally, I've had great success with 8x8x4 bricks if you have space.

Ceramic Biomedia Plate

Why does BRS recommend this? Biological filtration is the number one key to a nice and stable reef tank, and anytime we can sneak in some MarinePure Biomedia into an All in one tank, sump, or even overflows we will. We have run density tests and they have proved to be more porous than any live...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Greg Depo]

Low light, and monochrome light are not the same thing.


Again, many cell phone cameras do not allow manual white balance. The flagship phones (Pixel, Iphone 12, etc) are great - but if you're buying $200 phones, reef photos are tough for the people who like to run their tanks toilet-bowl-blue.


His photo isn't great - but its fine. Its pretty easy to tell what's going on.

Well In my defense I did take a single photo and didn’t pull out my icecap lense filter. You can see it well enough plus I have a kessil fuge light right above where the photo was taken.

Either way thanks for the input. When it degrades can it cause issues with chemical imbalances?

 

[Feet4Fish]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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After one year. Totally submerged in a low flow area.

 

[BZOFIQ]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

After one year. Totally submerged in a low flow area.

That's actually disturbing. I have 5 at the moment and none are exhibiting that "behavior"

Did you try reaching out to Brightwell?

 

[Biologic]

Today's cell phones are capable of capturing better than above with slightly more than no light. Blue light will certainly cause color shift but the above example is like a recent meme I saw on here similar to this.

that looks like a 450 nm blue led lol turn to 100% intensity lol

 

[Saltyanimals]

I had marinepure spheres 5 years ago that showed no signs of deterioration. Can anyone speculate on cause especially since it sits in a low flow somewhere with very little of anything to disturb. I can see it breaking down with constant handling, but just doesn't make sense where it'll just disintegrate it's own.


The conspiracy side of me says manufactures recognize that older quality media didn't have repeat customers because they last forever...so why not make a lesser product to force customer repurchase. =)

 

[Reef Mafia]

Watching this… just took a look at mine and this is what I found!

 

[Saltyanimals]

Watching this… just took a look at mine and this is what I found!

How long as that been in your tank? And is it being hit by any forceful water flow in the sump?

I rearranged all my media in my sump into a sectioned off container. In the process, I didn't noticed any deterioration of my media. Some of the media is 1 year old.. some are 5+ years old.