Bio Bale Vs. Pond Matrix: Please vote

[bigboss]

Ok. I have an Fx5 Fluval filter and i'm debating about using Bio Bale or Pond Matrix as the media in my filter. My tank is a 180 gal. Fresh Water.

What will you vote for? Bio Bale definitely is the cheapest but is it reliable??

Pond Matris looks also good.

Fluval Bio Max has nothing but great reviews except for the cost.

Let us know your experience with any of these or if you have a third good option share with us.

 

[juice604]

i run the martrix in one of my fx5s and bio max in the other one , they are both great !!

 

[fishnut]

I use bio bale on my wet/dry and ceramix ring for my fx5. For me, the bio bale is more ideal because it takes up more space and is fluffy and needs lots of room. The canister filter does not have that much room for the bio bale, therefore, I use bio bale.

 

[bigboss]

So Bio Bale in a canister filter like the Fx5 will not be effective?

 

[bigboss]

i run the martrix in one of my fx5s and bio max in the other one , they are both great !!

So i guess your vote goes to Pond Matrix? Bio Max is out of this poll because of it's price

 

[lipadj46]

my understanding is the pond matrix is like regular matrix but bigger. The only issue I see with that in a canister is that the larger pond matrix is going to have less surface area than the same volume of regular (smaller) matrix. How much less surface area, i'm not sure, could be insignificant. You can also fit more matrix in a canister than pond matrix. My vote goes for pond matrix though between the 2 choices though. Regular matrix is not much more expensive is it?

 

[rhodes_96]

I would use the regular matrix in the fx5. The regular matrix compacts better and you have less pockets between the media which means more surface area. The pond matrix is good in sumps where you have plenty of room to fill and maximum efficiency is not a concern.

If normal matrix is not available, then I would use pond matrix in the fx5 as it is still better than all other options.

 

[nfored]

I like the idea of a compact ball of bio bale to silence water fall into the sump and then pond matrix as the fail safe media. Its always submerged so it will survive an outage better.

 

[brich999]

matrix unless you are doing a wet dry

 

[rhodes_96]

matrix unless you are doing a wet dry

Matrix works extremely well in wet dry not just submerged.