Submersible Filter Media in a sump

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A

aeri

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 11, 2007
566
11
48
Toronto
I'm wondering,

between Jap Mats, Filter Sponges, Filter Pads, Scour/Fiber Pads, Polyfibers, Canister/Ceramic Rings, Carbon Bags, and Bio-balls...which ones are more effective submerged, or exposed to air?

I've read that bio-balls increase effectiveness by alot when exposed to air as opposed to underwater, but I'm not sure about the rest because I see several LFS use them interchangeably.

Any advice?
 
Also, I've had the experience of having one of the filter sponges develop a colony of some weird looking bugs because it was exposed to air with little water flow. is there a way to avoid this?
 
The following answers are with the W/D pre-filtered & not in a pressurized environment.

1) Jap Mats - These are designed for submerged use and are not as effective in a W/D situation because they will crush under their own wet weight.

2) Filter Sponges - These are designed to have water drawn thru them. Large open cell foam (stiff) can be used in a W/D environment.

3) Filter Pads - Same as #2.

4) Scour/Fiber Pad - Scrubbies may be used equally well in either environment.

5) Polyfibers - Poly-fil is used as a pre-filter and needs a support tray.

6) Canister/Ceramic Rings - similar to #4 but fair better under water.

7) Carbon Bags - need to be pre-filtered and as such are used in the last stage of filtering for chemical filtration.

8) Bio-balls - Same as #4 (just more expensive).

9) Lava rock - Same as #4.

Everyone has their own opinions on filter material (usually biased by how much they paid for the material).

Dr Joe

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aeri;1955870; said:
Also, I've had the experience of having one of the filter sponges develop a colony of some weird looking bugs because it was exposed to air with little water flow. is there a way to avoid this?
Click to expand...

Quarantine tank.

Clean the filters regularly :D, don't over-feed and pre-filter the water & be careful where you get your stock from.

Thro those filters in the tank as a food supplement, this fish will pick them clean and then you can return the filters to service.

Dr Joe

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