Recommendations for bio media in sump

[mikee002]

Planning a new tank and researching the “best” bio-media for use in my sump.

Tank will be a 36 bowfront, sump will be a multipurpose 40gal breeder.

I’m not using live rock, instead using DIY “rock” made from an epoxy product, so I’ll have no real bio filtration from that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’ll likely seed it from my currently running tank to jump start the cycle.

 

[Spare time]

I like seachem matrix since it is durable. A bag of crushed coral would work very well and is what I will probably do in the future.

 

[mikee002]

I like seachem matrix since it is durable. A bag of crushed coral would work very well and is what I will probably do in the future.

Thanks for the reply. Is it possible to use too much of the media, or is it best to stick to their recommended “dose”? Thanks

 

[DC Reefer]

I use the brightwell dimpled bricks. 1 brick should be sufficient For your tank. I run 2 in a 130 g system and 3 in a 190 g system. Both are bare bottom with live rock.

 

[homer1475]

Why not just buy some dry rock like you can get from BRS and throw that in the sump? This is what I eventually did after the marine pure crumbled.

Besides that, I would rpobably denitrate from seachem, or siporax, oe even marine pure again, but I would do the little balls in a media bag.

 

[Spare time]

Thanks for the reply. Is it possible to use too much of the media, or is it best to stick to their recommended “dose”? Thanks

Not it won't matter. It is basically just porous rock.

 

[mikee002]

I use the brightwell dimpled bricks. 1 brick should be sufficient For your tank. I run 2 in a 130 g system and 3 in a 190 g system. Both are bare bottom with live rock.

And it’s durable and won’t crumble? Thanks

 

[Orm Embar]

I would only use calcium carbonate based materials; my understanding is that any of the ceramics have aluminum in them which can leach out into the tank. MarinePure also has a tendency to crumble; not sure re: other brands (so MarinePure gets relegated to my quarantine tank).