Removed All Bio-Media.....Replaced With 30 PPI Foam = Amazing Results!

[Kustrud]

Just wanted to share what I've been working on and learned. I have a Fluval 407 for my 75 gallon along with a 2100 GPH power-head....that is the only equipment. My stocking is 4x Giant Danios, 1x four inch Oscar, 1x three inch Firemouth, 1x two inch Green Terror, 1x four inch Bichir, and 1x four inch Featherfin Catfish. All fish are relatively small, but still not a "light" stocking either.

I have slowly been switching all of my Bio-Media (Matrix, Fluval stuff, etc.) out for 100% 30 PPI Foam made by Aquaneat (green pad on Amazon).

Filter setup red tray: All stock Fluval foam pads.

Filter setup gray trays (4) from bottom up: Stock black pads in tray 1, 30 PPI green in tray 2, 30 PPI green in tray 3 + a little bit of Poly-Fil, 30 PPI green in tray 4 on top. I'll eventually replace the black foam in tray 1 on the bottom with the green 30 PPI as well but wanted the newer stuff to sit a little longer before removing anymore. I've done 1 tray per week so far so just removed the last of the Bio-Media yesterday.

My water is CRYSTAL clear, immediate improvement. You cannot find a spec of cloudiness or dust floating anywhere. It definitely made an improvement in water clarity, even though it was already clear to begin with.

After a lot of reading as well, the 30 PPI foam holds just as much, if not more, beneficial bacteria than Bio-Media.

Flow from the filter is just as strong if not stronger than with Bio-Media.

 

[koltsixx]

Using Poret Foam is a filtration system that's existed for a long time and is often used by German Aquarist. Their specific setup is called the Hamburg Matten Filter. I've touched upon it a couple of times in the past and even in some of my recent posts. There are also a few Youtube videos on it. Though from my understanding it takes the Foam awhile to develop an appropriate amount of beneficial bacteria and I'm not sure how well it would work in a canister. Especially since canisters are low oxygen systems where the Hamburg Matten isn't. Also, some of the reason for using bio media in a canister is because Foam alone will probably clog quicker causing a lot of bypass therefore decreasing the amount of actual filtered water coming out of the filter and would need more frequent cleaning. Which is why canisters are generally directed by the manufacturer to be used with a combination of foam and bio-media.

 

[Kustrud]

I read a few studies on this and a couple of people that have done this in canisters for years with nothing but stellar results. I guess time will tell, I’m extremely pleased with the initial results!

Not sure why the foam would take any longer than anything else to build up BB. In fact, if you look closely at some of this Bio-Media, it’s not even that porous. To me and per some studies, the foam will actually hold BB many times over. In my opinion, simply looking at the foam vs the Fluval stuff it looks like it would build up and hold much more than their ceramic media.

I actually have a thought that a lot of this bio-media is simply an over-hyped rip off and you could basically use anything that’ll fit in the filter to hold enough BB.

For the clogging, it’s all coarse initially on the one side and then nothing finer than 30 PPI minus the poly fill at the end. By the time the water reaches the poly it should be pretty clean already. The 30 PPI is coarse enough to where it shouldn’t clog up too quickly either.

Who knows, you could be completely right and in a month from now I may have to go back to a couple trays of the stuff. But, I have a strong feeling I’m onto something! I’ll keep this updated.

 

[Kustrud]

 

[jjohnwm]

...I actually have a thought that a lot of this bio-media is simply an over-hyped rip off and you could basically use anything that’ll fit in the filter to hold enough BB....

That right there is the kind of cutting-edge scientific analysis that makes MFK the go-to for serious aquarists everywhere! Why hasn't anyone else ever thought of this??

Oh...hmmmm....wait a minute....

 

[koltsixx]

I read a few studies on this and a couple of people that have done this in canisters for years with nothing but stellar results. I guess time will tell, I’m extremely pleased with the initial results!

Not sure why the foam would take any longer than anything else to build up BB. In fact, if you look closely at some of this Bio-Media, it’s not even that porous. To me and per some studies, the foam will actually hold BB many times over. In my opinion, simply looking at the foam vs the Fluval stuff it looks like it would build up and hold much more than their ceramic media.

I actually have a thought that a lot of this bio-media is simply an over-hyped rip off and you could basically use anything that’ll fit in the filter to hold enough BB.

For the clogging, it’s all coarse initially on the one side and then nothing finer than 30 PPI minus the poly fill at the end. By the time the water reaches the poly it should be pretty clean already. The 30 PPI is coarse enough to where it shouldn’t clog up too quickly either.

Who knows, you could be completely right and in a month from now I may have to go back to a couple trays of the stuff. But, I have a strong feeling I’m onto something! I’ll keep this updated.

I had heard the opposite, which is why I mentioned bypass. The hobbyists I spoke to had water quality issues that they couldn't place at first till they realized they had water flowing around the media because of saturation of the Foam. I never read any studies so my basis is on conjecture which is why I didn't speak in definitives. But since you have scientific studies I am glad to admit my error and perhaps will try it myself one day.

As for Foam taking longer for biological establishment again it was based on what I was told by people who said that's what they experienced. I've never tried all Foam in a canister myself. As for holding more beneficial bacteria it certainly has the potential to hold more but as has been discussed in other threads here and in my understanding the bacteria only builds up to meet the bio load. Any excess bacteria would die out due to having nothing to live off of. The only part of the hobby that eludes us is anaerobic bacteria. We've yet to find a way to create a low enough oxygen area with enough flow to complete the process seen in nature besides of course natural replantation of fresh water. Again that's to the best of my understanding.

I myself use 30 PPI in my filter among other things and it does clog, not too fast as you said but I have other media in it. And I do agree like most things the hobby can be a cash grab which is why I've supported and recommended Hamburg Matten Filters. German aquarist have been using it for many, many years because it is inexpensive and effective. The whole set-up is economical in every facet of it from it's construction to it's media to it's electrical demand. So I'm a big proponent of it.

 

[Midwater]

Everyone has their own ideas on biomedia, and believe that they alone are right.

But I really am.

 

[koltsixx]

By the way beautiful tank K Kustrud .

 

[Kustrud]

I had heard the opposite, which is why I mentioned bypass. The hobbyists I spoke to had water quality issues that they couldn't place at first till they realized they had water flowing around the media because of saturation of the Foam. I never read any studies so my basis is on conjecture which is why I didn't speak in definitives. But since you have scientific studies I am glad to admit my error and perhaps will try it myself one day.

As for Foam taking longer for biological establishment again it was based on what I was told by people who said that's what they experienced. I've never tried all Foam in a canister myself. As for holding more beneficial bacteria it certainly has the potential to hold more but as has been discussed in other threads here and in my understanding the bacteria only builds up to meet the bio load. Any excess bacteria would die out due to having nothing to live off of. The only part of the hobby that eludes us is anaerobic bacteria. We've yet to find a way to create a low enough oxygen area with enough flow to complete the process seen in nature besides of course natural replantation of fresh water. Again that's to the best of my understanding.

I myself use 30 PPI in my filter among other things and it does clog, not too fast as you said but I have other media in it. And I do agree like most things the hobby can be a cash grab which is why I've supported and recommended Hamburg Matten Filters. German aquarist have been using it for many, many years because it is inexpensive and effective. The whole set-up is economical in every facet of it from it's construction to it's media to it's electrical demand. So I'm a big proponent of it.

For sure, it’s just interesting to me. And for some reason, trying to achieve absolute crystal clear water is something that I keep chasing lol. Of course along with a healthy, well-established tank.

Who knows, too much foam may not be the best after I give this setup 4 weeks or so and learn some more.

But, I enjoy in really looking into how things work. After looking closely at the different foam densities, comparing it to the bio media, and testing canister output with both setups I do think I’m onto something better than over-priced hype. With proper foam density’s layered in an appropriate manner and the filter maintained properly, my gut tells me it’ll perform better in all aspects. Of course a bit of poly fill towards the top for some polishing.

Again, really just the start of an experiment so I will post results weekly!

 

[Kustrud]

By the way beautiful tank K Kustrud .

Thank you!!