Which of these two medias would you prefer?

[michael]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4173&pcatid=4173

or

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4169&pcatid=4169

will be used in sump, either submerged or free flowing like bio-balls, and both are similar in price. Might try a combo of both but want to hear some feedback cause maybe one is much better than the other and would be worth it to just get all of one..

 

[Bud8Fan]

The problem I have with stuff like that in a sump is that the pores very quickly become clogged and the actual surface area is drastically reduced. In a sump wet/dry situation you are much better off with bio-bale, bio-balls, nylon pot scrubbers or something along those lines.

 

[Nic]

would use both...

 

[Nic]

The problem I have with stuff like that in a sump is that the pores very quickly become clogged and the actual surface area is drastically reduced. In a sump wet/dry situation you are much better off with bio-bale, bio-balls, nylon pot scrubbers or something along those lines.

not if you use good filter socks.... i never had a problem with my media clogging up

 

[Bud8Fan]

not if you use good filter socks.... i never had a problem with my media clogging up

Not the media itself but the pores in the media. Once the bacteria proliferates the surface area is drastically reduced.

 

[michael]

never used filter socks before.. All i hear is how everyone cleans them like everyday. I put 2 layers of a course media pad and then one thats "more fine" underneath that one

 

[brianp]

Neither media type depicted is intended to be used as a substitute for bioballs. Bioballs are large diameter structures with a smooth surface and many projections to increase the surface area.....this is not accidental. If you use the ceramic rings, the pores will fill with sediment, which will substantially diminish the surface area available for the bacterial population. Then, you will be left with a relatively small diameter structure, which is packing too tightly to allow adequate air circulation for optimal atmospheric exposure. Of course, these arguments are "theoretical", but it is best to use products in the application for which they were designed.

 

[michael]

well both products say they are designed for sumps? I still use a chamber of bioballs.. these are just for added bio on top of that. So would everyone just say eheim sintered glass is better than both?

 

[gobucks1]

If these are one of the last chambers of your sump, you should be alright clog-wise.

 

[chesterthehero]

neither... im a big fan of course sponge media/scrubbies and filterfloss... lil rocks and tubes are not worth the money IMO