+1 My suspensions exactly... but nobody has any real empirical evidence... just a lot of marketing claims.
Filter biological media substrate suggestions?
- Thread starter Rykershot101
- Start date
+1 My suspensions exactly... but nobody has any real empirical evidence... just a lot of marketing claims.
I have heard only good things about seachem matrix; that is what I would use if I had to start a new system. On the other hand, I have always used Eheim substrat pro in my canisters and it is some good but costly stuff.
Well, here was my problem. I saw some ceramic rings, Rena brand, at this pet store yesterday. Although it claimed it wouldn't ever need to be replaced, which sounded a little far fetched to me, it costed $27. I'm not going to go and say that was a bad deal, because I actually don't know a decent pricing on these matrix/ceramic rings. Seachem matrix sounds like the right stuff for me, although I'll look around for that sheik pro stuff just to see the differences. Yu said something about doll or store laundry bags? What's that all about?
you don't replace ceramic rings, they're bio media. You don't replace any bio media. The bags are to keep the seachem matrix in the bag
I would use your canister filter for 100% mechanical filtration and then setup a trickle filter/nitrification tower after your canister for biological. bacteria needs oxygen to thrive and that's what a trickle filter will provide. Can build one for a couple bucks and will make a huge difference.
A lot of Great info given thus far. In my canisters I use AC foams cut to fit and Matrix - you could go that route and then top it off with some Poly/Filter Floss to wrap up your Mech filtering. Add a Sump with Bio Balls and a laundry bag of Matrix and call it a day. 2 Great set ups that are easy to maintain. Good Luck and if you do nothing else - Keep it Simple....
Canisters are best suited for chemical filteration and water-polishing. They are too high of flow to keep a healthy bio colony. I stick with sumps or trickle filters for my water quality needs and canister filters to make the water sparkle. Everyone who see's my tanks think I spend way more time on them than I actually do.
Canisters are best suited for chemical filteration and water-polishing. They are too high of flow to keep a healthy bio colony.
Care to tell us what led you to that statement????????
Care to tell us what led you to that statement????????
I'm sorry but this it not true. Even tough I'm a huge advocate of sumps and wet/dry filtration, I've run many tanks with nothing but canister filtration. And before anyone assumes the substrate was responsible for the filtration, some of these tanks were bare bottom.
Canisters do a fine job with bio.
