Jump to content

Filter Media Performance


Fierce Deity Link

Recommended Posts

Hi guys, What is the best type of Filter Media? if price wasn't a consideration, which filter media would support the largest bioload if given the same amount of filter space? Looking purely at Biological Filtration

BioBalls? (if so what's the best size?)

Seachem Matrix?

Seachem Pond Matrix? (Heard it's more effective in wet/dry filters)

AquaClay

Eheim Subrstrat Pro?

Fluval Biomax?

High quality ceramic noodles?

Looking for the best performing Biological Filter Media Available for use in multiple types of filters: External Canister, Internal Powered, Top trickle Filter(Wet/Dry), Sump, Hang On Back...

Looking for any advice, has anyone compared all these, have there been any studies done of this nature? have I missed any important media?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well Seachem and eheim both have conducted studies.

Seachems matrix is suppose to be able to support more bio in a smaller space. Eheims tests where on different factors but pretty much showed the lower the flow rate the better outcome to an extent.

Haven t read much on the others, Id say biomax > ceramic noodles but and dont believe there is any difference between matrix and pond matrix but the size?

One media you are missing that has a bit of hype behind it right now is K1 Noodles. To my understanding they are like underwater bio balls that self clean and only keep healthy bacteria on them due to constant moving.

As long as you have effective - adequate filtration for your size tank and stock the difference is little I believe personally.

p.s there is also HEL-X which is new by the same people who make K1. I dont know much about this one but its a larger K1 with 40% more surface area. works the same I believe but could be wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you drip the water on the marine pure or you submerge the marine pure in the water?

I heard of this product and apparently it may reduce nitrate level too. Don't know if it is true.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you drip the water on the marine pure or you submerge the marine pure in the water?

I heard of this product and apparently it may reduce nitrate level too. Don't know if it is true.

< check this one out Blitz, I've heard of the Marine Pure, I cant say from experience how they go, but they sound like a good secondary form of media in the bottom of your filter, especially the flatter 1 inch plate, but I dont think I'd consider it as a Primary form of Biological Media unless it was like for a Nano tank or something
Link to comment
Share on other sites

woo, that looks nice! I wonder how long you could go without a w/c with that and 1L of purigen.

Any idea where we can buy it from? I cant seem to find it. Checked the reef shop and AOA.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If space is an issue then i would go Matrix/substrat pro. Does a great job for a small amount. I think K1 is fantastic as long as it is moving. The movement knocks off old and dead bacteria so all that stays is the strong, healthy, hungry bacteria. That is if price was not an issue. As price is an issue for me my sump is full of scrubbies :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

since space is my issue i'm going for quality>quantity... Anyone know where the best place to buy Matrix/substrat pro in bulk? (4-5 liters)

Edit: Also looking at the prospect of another new type of media, it's like a sintered glass (matrix, substrat pro) and fluidized moving bed filter hybrid (K1), looks to have some potential, have a look and tell me what you guys think???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BIO-MOTION-MOVING-BED-FILTER-MEDIA-BEST-MEDIA-AVAILABLE-HUGE-SURFACE-AREA-/221038491585?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3376ebb7c1

It's basically Matrix that's perfectly round like substrat pro, coated with some clay particals which are supposed to add trace elements to your water and condition it over time as they "bump" into each other and the clay will slowly break down, being used in a "vibrating" filter based on a similar principal to the K1, with an air pump using air and moving the media but packed more tightly in so not allowed to move as freely, like more of a kids ball pit effect... that's my understanding of it anyways...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Fierce, Very costly compared to matrix and even K1.

I am highly considering Hel-X and/or the moving balls I just dont think they can be used in a sump the vibration would be hard to accomplish.

Very nice topic over all, Its very nice to see all the difference type of medias out there, only downside is you never can chose which way to go :wallbash::happy:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Fierce, Very costly compared to matrix and even K1. I am highly considering Hel-X and/or the moving balls I just dont think they can be used in a sump the vibration would be hard to accomplish. Very nice topic over all, Its very nice to see all the difference type of medias out there, only downside is you never can chose which way to go :wallbash::happy:

well Squirtle one option with the moving balls would be to set up your own DIY system which could be done either in tank or in sump, just needs to be packed pretty tightly with not much room to bump around with air flowing up through it, wouldnt be hard to make your own container in the sump with eggcrate bottom and top with airstones or air curtains zigzagging underneathto push water and air up through the media, K1 and Hel-X take some fiddling around with water flow to get them going properly and moving without deadspots...

does talbot genuinely believe the things that he's saying? he knows that no3 is a nitrogen and 3 oxygens but it stops there

Yeah he can be painful to watch sometimes I know but this is the only video on marine pure i remember watching...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive just purchased some bio motion and hel-x whislt here in the UK for work.

from what he shop keeper (sales person i know) 1 LITRE of bio motion = 3 litres of Hel-X which 1 litre is = to 2 litres of the K1s

they run their shop completly off the bio motion in about 500ml air driven filters full to the top with air pushing through very vigerously in a 4x2x18 high discus disply with 5 discus plants and lots of other fish (tetras cats etc)all he had in the sump was filter sponge and thes upside down bottles filled with the bio max approx 1.5 litres and air stones

he tested the water in front of me and all was good so it sold me

just my 2 cents

Alex

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive just purchased some bio motion and hel-x whislt here in the UK for work.

from what he shop keeper (sales person i know) 1 LITRE of bio motion = 3 litres of Hel-X which 1 litre is = to 2 litres of the K1s

they run their shop completly off the bio motion in about 500ml air driven filters full to the top with air pushing through very vigerously in a 4x2x18 high discus disply with 5 discus plants and lots of other fish (tetras cats etc)all he had in the sump was filter sponge and thes upside down bottles filled with the bio max approx 1.5 litres and air stones

he tested the water in front of me and all was good so it sold me

just my 2 cents

Alex

Thanks Alex that's awesome to actually hear some feedback on them, any idea's for how you'll have it set up? similar to how he had them or perhaps a little different? :) keep us posted on how it goes mate :thumb

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Fierce, Very costly compared to matrix and even K1.

I am highly considering Hel-X and/or the moving balls I just dont think they can be used in a sump the vibration would be hard to accomplish.

Very nice topic over all, Its very nice to see all the difference type of medias out there, only downside is you never can chose which way to go :wallbash::happy:

I found it for pretty reasonable, only $49.99 from the place where Paul Talbot works no less? http://www.majesticaquariums.com.au/Product/marinepure-8x8x1-block-300lt-278

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ill set them up in upside down drink bottles but in stead of just @vibrating@ ill try have them mooving a little bit.

these will also be used in conjunction with pond matrix sumps as i already have the pond matrix.

the kit i got also comes with some start up bactria culture capsules (that im sure customs will 'borrow' from me)

Richard suggested the secret is to have finer bubbles of air passing over the media to help the dispersion and jiggling, however as long as air is passing over the media vigoursly then the media will also work well.

there is another shop here using it in the sump in chamber as the water flows in (through a pre filter) it tumbles the filter bed, this also worked well but i like the idea of clean water used to my bio filtration.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

while the bio motion has more surface area theres got to be a point where the porosity is so fine that no current can effectively feed the bio media in the centre of the ball, making that extra surface area useless

i use k1, it works fine, it would be nice to get hel-x but i went with whats cheaper, these medias are used in water treatment facilities which is why i think that the advantages of the higher end moving bed media arn't really utilised in a home aquarium that should have very little ammo/nitrite in the first place

this is just my opinion though, would be interesting to get our hands on research papers comparing these medias and the ppm of waste they can turn over rather than a salesman saying "more surface area!!!!"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed the bio motion looks like round floating matrix for what its worth..

There is a chart on the net I can't find it now but will when I'm back in oz however it shows how much feed per liter of media is supported.... This was done buy aquaculture specialists in the uk from memory .... That was a pretty good read I'll post when I get back

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed the bio motion looks like round floating matrix for what its worth..

There is a chart on the net I can't find it now but will when I'm back in oz however it shows how much feed per liter of media is supported.... This was done buy aquaculture specialists in the uk from memory .... That was a pretty good read I'll post when I get back

Looking forward to that one! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

I'm thinking of marine pure sphere, I heard that over time they breakdown into white powder ? is that true, how long do they last for

nice necro :p

Flowing water will break down any media. The more pourous, the faster the breakdown though I dont think its something to be worried about. Nothing lasts forever and if you need to replace anything in your tank then consider it general maintanence. I couldn't see ceramic needing to be replaced for years and years. in fact I have never had the need to replace ceramic filter material ever !!.

At worst just top up the media for a few bucks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eheims tests where on different factors but pretty much showed the lower the flow rate the better outcome to an extent.

This is an interesting finding and something I have thought about for a while.
The standard guidelines has always involved measuring the flow rate to tank volume ratio. Maybe what makes higher flow filters 'better' isn't the fact that water flow is higher, but the media containers are larger. Ie. a 2200lph canister is physically larger than a 1200lph (therefore holding more filter media). So this Eheim finding suggests putting maybe a 1200lph pump in a 2200lph canister is more efficient.
What I have done with my 1600lph canister is spray water onto a top filter with more media instead of directly into the tank. Result is same flow rate but water passes through more filter media.
But back to the topic on hand...
How do people really know they need better media? When ammonia and nitrites are erratically spiking? I'm thinking practically here. When following the flow rate to tank volume ratio guidelines and standard ceramic rings my ammonia and nitrites have always been 0. For most people particular about media, at which point do you upgrade? My understanding is upgrading to higher surface media won't help if your ammonia/nitrites are already 0 as the number of bacteria present depends on the amount of ammonia produced by the tank.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eheims tests where on different factors but pretty much showed the lower the flow rate the better outcome to an extent.

This is an interesting finding and something I have thought about for a while.

The standard guidelines has always involved measuring the flow rate to tank volume ratio. Maybe what makes higher flow filters 'better' isn't the fact that water flow is higher, but the media containers are larger. Ie. a 2200lph canister is physically larger than a 1200lph (therefore holding more filter media). So this Eheim finding suggests putting maybe a 1200lph pump in a 2200lph canister is more efficient.

What I have done with my 1600lph canister is spray water onto a top filter with more media instead of directly into the tank. Result is same flow rate but water passes through more filter media.

But back to the topic on hand...

How do people really know they need better media? When ammonia and nitrites are erratically spiking? I'm thinking practically here. When following the flow rate to tank volume ratio guidelines and standard ceramic rings my ammonia and nitrites have always been 0. For most people particular about media, at which point do you upgrade? My understanding is upgrading to higher surface media won't help if your ammonia/nitrites are already 0 as the number of bacteria present depends on the amount of ammonia produced by the tank.

Reason why a lower flow rate can work more effectively, is because the beneficial bacteria (bb), has better contact time with the water to complete the conversion,,,, as opposed to the water passing out to fast before the bb is finished doing its work.

That's why 2 x 1200 lph cannisters is far more superior than a single 2400 lph,,,,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pink bats! that stuff is yucky! why? surely there is better and cheaper alternative. It would insulate nicely though, you would get some nice north queensland bacteria! Hey I could sent you some!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...