Pot scrubs in canisters?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
HarleyK said:
Substrat Pro: 20,000 sqft/gal surface area.
Pot scrubbers ca. 60 sqft/gal.
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That is with new media. Have you ever noticed that the bottom of a cannister filter that is used in a tank with no substrate has a bunch of gunk in the bottom? Have you ever felt it between your fingers? Did you notice any grit in it? Part of the decomposition of the waste leaves just the minerals that were in the undecomposed stuff. Also mineral precipitation from the water. Those minerals over time will build up in and clog the very small pores in the media. Over time the ceramic media becomes a rock. Also you can compress the hell out of a gallon of scrubbers in a cannister and at least double the surface area. Actually foam is the best. It is either Fluval or Eheim, I don't remember which, recommends replacing ceramic media annualy for this very reason.
 
I agree that ceramic rings and glass medias are probably the best.

I also believe that you don't always need the best. You can only have so much bacteria in the tank, and the bacteria can only have so much food. All you have to do as the fishkeeper is give the bacteria an adequate place to call home.

I've used alot of medias, and I've used plenty of pot scrubs. I like them because they are easy to clean, don't require media bags, are super inexpensive, and have always kept my fish alive and healthy.

If you're talking strictly a numbers game, you'd probably need a truck load of scrubbers to handle the bioload of what a few pounds of biorings would. .. but the average home aquarium probably doesn't require either amount to keep water clean.

Also I reread your post Harleyk. I knew bioballs were bad for surface area.. but I had no idea how bad lol.



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dmopar74 said:
I would like some sort of proof that this mineralization is happening. You seem to be the first(that i personally recall) that claim this is happening.
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I would like more information on this as well. I am not disputing it I just want to know since I have some media that is legal drinking age ;)
 
rodger said:
That is with new media. Have you ever noticed that the bottom of a cannister filter that is used in a tank with no substrate has a bunch of gunk in the bottom? Have you ever felt it between your fingers? Did you notice any grit in it? Part of the decomposition of the waste leaves just the minerals that were in the undecomposed stuff. Also mineral precipitation from the water. Those minerals over time will build up in and clog the very small pores in the media. Over time the ceramic media becomes a rock. Also you can compress the hell out of a gallon of scrubbers in a cannister and at least double the surface area. Actually foam is the best. It is either Fluval or Eheim, I don't remember which, recommends replacing ceramic media annualy for this very reason.
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Let it be 1/10th of the "new" surface area after a couple of years or even months. Still beats scrubbers by 100-times...





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BTW mineralization is really happening, and proof are the nitrates you find in your water. The nitrogen originates from protein, i.e. amino acids, which are metabolized into mainly carbon dioxide, nitrates, and also trace elements are released. I dare to challenge that they precipitate out, though.


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Of course they do. How else do you end up with scale in water pipes?
I am still searching for the paper about mineralization of media. I honestly don't remember a time period they were referring to.
 
Mineral deposits in water pipes has nothing to do with biofiltration ?!

But I'll be curious to learn what you can share with us.

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Not saying your wrong, but I was looking online to order some new bio media and a new sunsun304, and it eheim's description of substrat pro lists it's surface area at 1800sqft/gal. Not 20,000. I don't know if I'm looking at the wrong thing or not. It also recommends replacement every 3-6 months (which I know is partially so they can continue to sell you expensive coco puffs twice a year lol)
uploadfromtaptalk1424624552293.jpg

I think ill buy some matrix. I can get a gallon pail of it for like $30

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Nice find. I have no recollection where I found that info those years ago. Let's go with yours. Still a couple of orders of magnitude difference.

Thanks for posting this info. Always good to have peer review.


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