Volume of bio media for 75g

[redchaser]

How much volume of bio media is needed in a wet dry for a 75g with a fairly heavy load? And do pot scrubbers really offer more surface per sq ft than Bio Balls? If so, why does anyone buy bio balls?

 

[eoertel1082]

what kind of filter you have?

 

[redchaser]

I'm making a DIY sump/wet dry trickle filter.

 

[Jgray152]

What is your stocking? Bio volume is based on bio load. Personally, there is not set amount, to many variables at play but your stocking level should be a good start to compare with others experiences.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

I can't say on exact volume needed, but a properly set up 30g wet/dry sump would be enough. Just make the bio area as big as you can. And yes scrubbies are said to haev more surface area than bio balls. And people still buy balls because of lack of knowledge. IMO ---its the same as people still shelling out all kinds of money on water conditioners instead of buying sodium thiosulfate in bulk. Some people need the reassurance of a pretty package thats says its for aquarium use. And that it works miracles.

 

[CHOMPERS]

A 30g is ideal.
The rule of thumb is 30% of the tank volume for heavily stocked tanks. Or 50% for Japanese style stocking. If you can only get your hands on a 20g container, that will still be leaps and bounds ahead of any HOB filter that you can put on the tank (not trying to trash HOBs, sumps are just superior in comparison).

 

[redchaser]

Thanks chompers. I'll be using a 20 long because it will fit under my stand. Is the 30% guideline the volume of the sump or the volume of the media itself? I was planning on using the stacked sterlite containers to hold media, but obviously that's just a few gallons. I also plan on putting a partition in the sump itself to create a compartment for more media. The media in that compartment will be submerged, but I plan on putting 4 long pencil style air stones at the bottom of that compartement bubbling up through the media to promote colonization.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Is the 30% guideline the volume of the sump or the volume of the media itself?

It's to help you pick a tank. The plan with the 20g sounds good.

 

[Dr Joe]

2 cubic feet of scrubbies (about 300). More if you want.

Good idea with the aeration, it can almost double the bacteria count.

Pre-filter the sump well (floss or filter socks) so the scrubbies don't clog up from detritus.

And most of all.... Post pix of your endeavor .

Dr Joe

.

 

[redchaser]

Anybody know where scrubbies can be ordered cheap in bulk. 300 scrubbies in the store will run me $50 plus tx.