Media Choice for Overflow

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knobhill

knobhill

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
May 2, 2007
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IN A PLACE
I have a rather large overflow (6"x22"x48") that contains 2 heaters and the usual pvp pipes. That means there is a lot of empty, usable space (5-10 gallons) in which water flows through. I am debating between loading the overflow up with ceramic rings or bioballs.

They cost about the same, can both be rinsed and reused.
Ceramic rings can get clogged more easily than bioballs.
But are bioballs as effective when submerged?

Help me decide!
Let's get a discussion going.:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:
 
Is this a new setup? do you have no other bio media?

Both are good, i like ceramic, but as mentioned mech is very good, i think most people have too much bio and should maybe focuse on mech more to keep thinkgs clean.

As long as you don't have ammonia or nitrites why do you need more bio?
 
My water parameters are excellent BUT you can always add more bio. The overflow is 2" and it runs into a 200 micron filter sock. Mechanical is fine. IMO, you can never have enough biological filtration. I am just trying to determine which material is better for the application.
 
I personally beleive that you can have enough biological filtration, however extra won't hurt. You are only going to have enough bacteria growing to consume the amount of waste in your tank. Which i why a focus on Mech after my bio is at a suitable level.

With that said, bio balls i think benifit more from being at lest partly exsposed to air. I've seen them listed as 160 sr. ft. per cu. ft of materail.

This is from seachems site " Matrix™ is a porous inorganic solid about 10 mm in diameter. Each liter of Matrix™ provides as much surface (>~700 m2) as 170 liters of plastic balls!"

So this has a lot more surface area. Also if it's for extra you could use, De-nitrate from them"

For best results, de*nitrate™ should be placed to assure the flow of water through it, such as in a canister filter, chemical filtration module, or box filter. Flow rate should not exceed 200 L (50 gallons*) per hour. If higher flow rates are unavoidable, use Matrix™ or Pond Matrix™. It is best to rinse off dust before use. Once de*nitrate™ has been in use for several days, nitrate concentrations should start to fall and level off gradually at a concentration of about 4–5 mg/L as nitrate. As long as nitrate concentrations remain under control, the product is not exhausted. Each 500 mL of de*nitrate™ treats about 100–200 L (25–50 gallons*), depending on initial nitrate concentration and the current biological load. Enough should be used to remove nitrate at a rate at least as fast as the rate of formation. If very high nitrates are initially present, they should be brought down to less than 20 mg/L with water changes."
 
how about putting one or two sponge filters in that space? they come in very handy if there's a power outage and for seeding new tanks. I like them better than simply submerging media.
 
100 micron filtration before your bio media should take care of any clogging issues.

If you can get matrix or pond matrix at a good price i would use that, otherwise the ceramic rings would be better than bio balls.
 
IMO, you can never have enough biological filtration.

You are correct, but not how you might think.
Your bacteria level will grow to the size of food available.
No more, no less.

While I`m being sort of "pickey", your overflow and sump are two different things.

I agree, bio balls do much better in a "wet/dry" and the ceramics work great submerged.
 
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