Bio Balls, Ceramic Noodles, Matrix

[BOG6ON]

I am just wondering if i can find out exactly what all these guys do for a filter system, and what the difference between what each one does. I ask this because i have recntly brought 3 canister filters and they all 2 types of sponge, cabon and amonia crystals, but the only difference was one had small bio balls, one had ceramic noodles and the other had matrix rocks in it?

Thanks.

Luke.

[mcloughlin2]

Without going into too much detail as I don't have time bio balls, ceramic noodles and matrix are all essentially used as a biological filtration media as they all have quite large surface area to volume ratios. Therefore they can accomodate more bacteria on them, whilst taking up less space.

Bio balls are only really effective when they have water trickling through them ie: In a sump or mini reef filtration system. In a cannister filter they will have little effect as they are completely submerged.

Ceramic noodles and matrix are both great to use in cannister filters where they are submerged all the time. They essentially a very similar product but matrix is alot more porous hence it can hold a significantely larger amount of bacteria which ultimately allows your biological filtration to be more effective.

[genetik_defekt]

matrix is the best out of all of them. much larger surface area contained in small volume

[Ant]

All of them work well. Matrix and ceramic noodles sink and bio balls tend to float. It just comes down to personal preference. A combination always works well.

[BJJ-Master]

What they do is provide a large surface area for beneficial bacteria colonies to grow , These convert ammonia in your tank to nitrite then to nitrate which as long as you're doing regular water changes should never reach toxic levels .

To illustrate why we want a high surface area to volume ratio , it takes about 4 square meters of bacteria to oxidise a gram of nitrate - so you have the choice of either having your water trickle over a huge pane of glass or a small substance with a large surface area .

These bacterias are very fragile - thus IMO you should never wash your biological filter material , which is why I believe bioballs or noodles are probably the best option as over time they won't become clogged and reduce flow across the surface area . (This could well be just a theory I've made up out of nowhere - but they work for me)