Plastic Bio Balls? Or Ceramic Media?

[downonthereef]

Hello,

I've noticed Waterbox supply their aquariums with Plastic Bio Balls, how do they fair against ceramic media, I can't imagine there's much surface area to them.

Do any waterbox owners use those BioBalls or do you use ceramic instead? Or even both? The more the merrier am I right?

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

Your rock and sand will be the primary biological filter for the tank. Anything else is supplemental and not very important. I tossed my stock bioballs in the trash. Some hobbyists use very little rock in their display and in that case it would be good to use a bio filter media. The sintered glass and ceramic media are definitely better for that.

 

[downonthereef]

Your rock and sand will be the primary biological filter for the tank. Anything else is supplemental and not very important. I tossed my stock bioballs in the trash. Some hobbyists use very little rock in their display and in that case it would be good to use a bio filter media. The sintered glass and ceramic media are definitely better for that.

Thanks! I like to have something in the sump, so i'll get some ceramic of some sort

 

[jft]

I recommmend siporax or eheim ehfisubstrate. I use that and great results.

 

[TroyClark]

I have used Seachem Matrix and Pond Matrix in filter bags in my sumps since day one and love it. Way over filtered but that's better than being under filtered..... Plus, when I need a QT I pull a bag and use it in a hang on power filter for instant cycle and quarantine goes smooth. I then bleach it when done, soak in Seachem safe and put back in the sump for the next time I need it. I quarantine for a minimum of 2 months before anything goes my DT.

 

[Rmckoy]

Thanks! I like to have something in the sump, so i'll get some ceramic of some sort

Why not just use spare live rock in your sump as well ?

I haven’t used the bio balls or ceramic pieces in many years .

 

[Spieg]

Ceramic is better than plastic, but agree it's best to put rock in the sump if you can.

 

[Gedxin]

Not a chance I could fit extra rock in my sump.

I use eshopps bio-lux ceramic in my Waterbox cube sump. So far it's been great, no problems and I feel like it provides a huge amount of extra surface area for beneficial bacteria.

 

[outhouse]

use those BioBalls or do you use ceramic instead? Or even both? The more the merrier am I right?

Nope, you dont want or need either, they are just nitrate producers and a place for debris to get trapped. I use a filter sock and pressure wash it every two weeks. NOW with a fish only tank sure, but no one uses them in reef set ups. The produce more nitrates, then without/

 

[Saltyanimals]

I respectively disagree. These have been used successfully for years helping those that prefer minimum rockscape in their DT. I use spheres and blocks and they work almost too well and I have dose nitrates to keep detectable levels for SPS. Yes seems counterproductive but the working theory is heavy in and aggressive export then using supplements to balance as needed. Do not prefer the plastics.

 

[Spieg]

Not a chance I could fit extra rock in my sump.

I use eshopps bio-lux ceramic in my Waterbox cube sump. So far it's been great, no problems and I feel like it provides a huge amount of extra surface area for beneficial bacteria.

Got a hammer? You can make rock just as small as ceramic media.

 

[Saltyanimals]

Got a hammer? You can make rock just as small as ceramic media.

Lol.

I had a pile of rock in the sump and problem is that it restricted flow through the sump, but that’s because of my sump design. Rocks work for for decades, but the new media is suppose to have multiple times the surface area giving you the equivalent of large amount of rock in a smaller physical space thus better overall better turnover through sump. I still keep smaller rock piles in case I need rocks as frag plugs. I just keep everything elevated so it doesn’t sit on the sump bottom to reduce detritus build up and again flow.