bio balls or scrubbies for my sump?

[marauders30]

ive been using a combination of bio balls and scrubbies in sumps and it has been fine, but recently i came upon a ton of bio balls for free. i can fit alot more bio balls than scrubbies so im wondering if it would be better to use the bio balls because there are so much more of them. if someone knows the exact surface area for each that would help too cuz i could calculate it. i saw a thread about this before but cant find it now

 

[marauders30]

anyone?

 

[fisher12889]

I've seen that info posted somewhere on here before, you can probably find it if you search.

 

[bitteraspects]

scrubbies have a higher surface area and are cheap.
but if you got the bio-balls for free... use those.
cant beat free

 

[throttle]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158808

I'm not sure if this link will work, but this thread has a lot of great info. It sounds like mixing media is the best option.

 

[BadOleRoss]

If memory serves, srubbies have a surface area of about 325, bioballs are in the 158 range. The big difference IMO is the way the water travels through srubbies and bioballs. Water travels straight through srubbies wasting half of the surface area. Water envelopes bioballs using all of the surface area available. Scrubbies are used because they are effective and they are cheap. If you are getting bioballs free, go with bioballs,

 

[MrA123]

I love the bioballs, do a good job for me.

 

[RedTailKinG]

both

 

[Iffrat]

only reason everyone uses scrubbies is because they are cheep .. if bio balls where the same price per area .. i think most people would use them ..

i use scrubbies .. 6 for $1 .. cant beat it .. but if bio balls are free .. i would use them .. and or both ..

 

[LD50]

Both can be very effective and provide plenty of surface area for BB colonization given you have a proper ammount of either. Since you got the bio balls for free why not use them?