Bio balls in sump ?

[scallywag14]

I know bio balls dont work well submerged but what if i put several air stones under the submerged bio balls or scrubies would that work ok or is that still a bad idea?

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

I did mine using the powerhead idea to circulate the balls.
Works for me

 

[jft]

bioballs will work in canister and sump filters just not as efficient as in trickle mode, matrix or ehfisubstrat is better that way in canisters or submerged sump locales, more surface area for bacteria to grow and proliferate.

 

[scallywag14]

I know they work better with the water trickling over them because of the oxygen so why would the air stones under the bio balls pushing up thru the balls circulating air and water not work as good?

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

I why would the air stones under the bio balls pushing up thru the balls circulating air and water not work as good?

Who said it wasn't good?

 

[brich999]

checkout kaldnes media for submerged with airstones. checkout youtube for moving bed filters

 

[Crispy]

why not just run a few sponge filters? I run a few in my sump instead of submerged media. they come in handy for alot of things.

 

[scallywag14]

Iam going to run one sponge for each fish because i will be moving soon and i can put them in the containers for transport thank all of you for all your help i feel better about my sump now.

 

[pjsmetana]

why not just run a few sponge filters? I run a few in my sump instead of submerged media. they come in handy for alot of things.

I've been replacing my canister's bioballs with pond filter mat and its really working out well! Its like 1 super sized sponge filter and its mechanical filtration is incredible. Plus, the pond filter mat has a lot more area for bacterial colonization, so the biological side is getting a bump too! Sponge filters are soooo inexpensive and really really under rated. I love them!!!