Has anyone tried using expanded clay balls as media? I'm gonna give it a try. They are pretty porous and I got 25 kilo's for a tenner...If it works out its a lot of media cheap, even cheaper than scrubbies.
filter media - expanded clay
- Thread starter King Edward
- Start date
Assuming their diameter is appropriate with respect to water flow and surface area, the only other significant consideration (IMO) is their physical stability when submerged. Most clay is predominantly "alumina silicate" in composition, but can vary quite a bit with respect to other constituents. Nonetheless, although I'm not a geologist, I don't see this as a pivotal consideration. If you want something cheap, get some pumice from your local greenhouse.
Lava rocks pretty good isnt it? I remember looking for some as it was recommended here but It is difficult to find and the only place I found was charging live rock prices as tank decorations!!!!
One unexpected thing about them was they float!!!! I take it it is only till they fully absorb the water, but spending all that time getting them organised in flow beds was a bit of a waste cause as soon as the pump went on they floated of into all the other compartments of the sump!!!! Even after a good clean, to my horror they turned the water bright red...thankfully this settled down very quickly and didnt happen again when I turned on the pump...
However my nice clear water was ruined when I put in my plum slate I thought I had washed well, and everything turned purple!!! Its still purple after settling all night which aint good!!!
One unexpected thing about them was they float!!!! I take it it is only till they fully absorb the water, but spending all that time getting them organised in flow beds was a bit of a waste cause as soon as the pump went on they floated of into all the other compartments of the sump!!!! Even after a good clean, to my horror they turned the water bright red...thankfully this settled down very quickly and didnt happen again when I turned on the pump...
However my nice clear water was ruined when I put in my plum slate I thought I had washed well, and everything turned purple!!! Its still purple after settling all night which aint good!!!
King Edward;1988092; said:
It (lava rock) is sold here in garden and landscaping stores.
Guess you could take an extra large suitcase to Hawaii and pickup some
(don't worry about the bad luck I'm sure it won't happen to you 
).Expanded clay doesn't always sink
.Nice color combo for the tank (very festive).
I'm really getting concerned about you 
.Dr Joe
.
lol Dr joe... Well its cleared up a bit, but theres still a purple tinge...and I'm slowly getting use to the deep kinda jingle that a floating bed of clay balls makes as the water overflows into it. It does work as a handy safety guage for my pump cause as the water level in the sump drops the noise gets louder!!!!!!!!
Pumice stone would be cool!
Pumice stone would be cool!
majot thread necro.. but to answer the question, expanded clay is inert. It is used in aquaponics all the time. I don't think it would do well as a substrate for a planted tank but would work well as a bio filter or a growbed outside of the tank as in AP