Can I use everyday bricks as media?

[AnemoneBay]

Hello! I am currently making my own filter media for my tank. I was wondering if I could use brick as filter media to house nitrifying bacteria. Would it work?

 

[VB313]

Hello! I am currently making my own filter media for my tank. I was wondering if I could use brick as filter media to house nitrifying bacteria. Would it work?

Like red Build your house out of brick?

 

[Gareth elliott]

I would be worried of the amount of iron compounds that might leach out. I use clay gravel(flourite) for this purpose under the sand in my planted tank for this reason. But corals are a lot more particular than aquatic plants about chemistry. I dont think i would try. You could create your own “brick”.

Mix up some mortar add some salt. And use to adhere some rock rubble together in a rough square rectangle shape.

Let cure in water till the ph effect of the mortar goes away.

 

[AnemoneBay]

I would be worried of the amount of iron compounds that might leach out. I use clay gravel(flourite) for this purpose under the sand in my planted tank for this reason. But corals are a lot more particular than aquatic plants about chemistry. I dont think i would try. You could create your own “brick”.

Mix up some mortar add some salt. And use to adhere some rock rubble together in a rough square rectangle shape.

Did not know it could leach out iron! Thanks for that! I also can't make my own brick seeing I'm 14, (You most likely did not know that), but thank you for the info! It was for a reef tank too,.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Is this going in the sump or tank?

In tank live or dry rock will have much greater pore for pore effect. Dry rock can be found sometimes for 1-3$ a pound.

Sump can always go with a layer of seachem matrix or rock rubble on the bottom.