Good filtration media

[zdrc]

It sounds like some filter media in saltwater is considered better than others. This is kinda surprising as all media is basically considered equal, or at least similar, in freshwater (one sponge is just as good as another, controlling for ppi). I run all different types of media on my freshwater tanks, and they all seem to be equally good at hosting nitrifying bacteria. One thing that might be different is flow often drops in my freshwater tanks as bacteria colonies grow in the filter sponge. I could see a drop in flow like this being highly undesirable in saltwater aquariums. For saltwater, how much does the exact type of media matter and how much of it is hype/brand loyalty? If media type does matter, what media is considered the best?

Coming from freshwater aquariums I was surprised by the ubiquity of carbon filtration in marine tanks. Carbon filtration is generally seen as useless in freshwater aquariums. It's only real use is to remove medications or tannins from the water. I don't see any particular reason why it would be more useful in marine tanks, but I'm probably missing something.

 

[blaxsun]

I like Red Sea and Nyos for carbon and Nyos hands down for GFO. MarinePure also gets my vote for bio media.

 

[Radicalrob1982]

It sounds like some filter media in saltwater is considered better than others. This is kinda surprising as all media is basically considered equal, or at least similar, in freshwater (one sponge is just as good as another, controlling for ppi). I run all different types of media on my freshwater tanks, and they all seem to be equally good at hosting nitrifying bacteria. One thing that might be different is flow often drops in my freshwater tanks as bacteria colonies grow in the filter sponge. I could see a drop in flow like this being highly undesirable in saltwater aquariums. For saltwater, how much does the exact type of media matter and how much of it is hype/brand loyalty? If media type does matter, what media is considered the best?

Coming from freshwater aquariums I was surprised by the ubiquity of carbon filtration in marine tanks. Carbon filtration is generally seen as useless in freshwater aquariums. It's only real use is to remove medications or tannins from the water. I don't see any particular reason why it would be more useful in marine tanks, but I'm probably missing something.

I run a seachem tidal 75 on my 20 long and 3/4 filled it with matrix. I also run filter floss. It works very well in my tank and keeps my nitrates stable.