Stacking Media In Sump

[HUKIT]

Isn't it wonderful? Multiple experienced keepers in disagreement...you're wrong, I'm right, he's out to lunch, she doesn't know what she's talking about. My method works because of this...your idea is obviously wrong because of that. Listen to me, because I'm the smartest guy in the room! I use big words, therefore I must be correct. I read all the promotional literature from all the manufacturers, so I must be right. I spend more on the hobby than you do, so I'm by definition a better fishkeeper than you.

I’m confused as I don’t understand what part of this thread sparked this type of response?

 

[jjohnwm]

I’m confused as I don’t understand what part of this thread sparked this type of response?

Basically...every part, except for the original question. A number of opinions expressed in response to your original question, each different, not much agreement and almost none of them related to that original question.

I was bored so I jumped into the pool with the rest of 'em.

Okay, straight answer? All of these ideas work because we all have so much room for bacterial colonization, so much more biomedia than we need, that it can't possibly matter which type is used or how it's stacked/piled/bagged in the filter. Quantifying the good and bad points of how the water flows through those various set-ups is just a game reminiscent of a crossword puzzle or a Sudoku; it likely acts as brain exercise but beyond that is completely immaterial to success with our aquariums.

If one really needed, or rather wanted, to improve the efficiency of ceramic ring media, I think less time spent calculating flow rates and more time spent with a hammer breaking up the rings into smaller pieces with an increase in total exterior surface area would be the best thing to do.