Questions about Bio Media

[H]-[H]

Is there a difference in effectiveness between bio media that is fully submerged at the bottom of the filter and bio media that is exposed to air(top of the filter such as trickle filter)?
Do they have different function or is one of the setup just better than the other?
I'm not comparing different bio media so for this instance I would use bio rings in both setups..
Any thoughts?

 

[Bertie]

There are different positives for each, a trickle filter is probably the most effective filter, it is so effective as the bacteria that turn ammonia into better substances need oxygen to thrive, a wet-dry has the perfect balance of water and oxygen but its effectiveness depends on the drip tray. Submerged media is designed to be porous and have a lot of surface areas for the bacteria to grow on. If you are deciding what type of sump to do there are pros and cons for each. The wet-dry is very effective but does not give a lot of extra water volume whereas a submerged sump would add extra water volume and is very customisable. Bio rings is best for submerged and will not be effective in a trickle filter.

 

[twentyleagues]

I do both. I have a trickle into a submerged. I use multiple kinds of media to achieve this. Best of both and covers some of the negatives of each also.

 

[duanes]

I have used both, together and separately, and have not seen any difference in ammonia reduction from one to the other in reasonably stocked tanks.
The last few years I have mostly used submerged media, or a combination of the two, because if power outages occur, beneficial bacteria quickly die when dried out.
And if water quality is generally good, and water is oxygenated, aerobic bacteria will be robust if submerged.
If the tank is overstocked, and because of that situation, equilibrium is always on the edge, the drip may help.

 

[H]-[H]

So theoretically, if I were to add air stones at the bottom of the bio media chamber, it won't increase the effectiveness of the bio rings?
Is relying on just water flow in the sump adequate?

 

[twentyleagues]

So theoretically, if I were to add air stones at the bottom of the bio media chamber, it won't increase the effectiveness of the bio rings?
Is relying on just water flow in the sump adequate?

Yes, but I don't think you will "see" a difference really