Table of Contents
How do bio balls work?
Bio balls are spheres consisting of tiny tubes that provide a large surface area on which water-filtering microbes can grow. Bio balls work best as wet-dry filters, with moving water passing over them. This allows more oxygen into the tubing, feeding the growth of the beneficial bacteria inside the balls.
How long do Bio balls take to work?
Most new aquariums take 3-6 weeks to fully cycle, meaning that the nitrogen cycle can successfully process ammonia into nitrates.
How many bio balls are needed per gallon?
Excellent filtration media for bacteria colonization; each bioball is approximately 1.5″ x 1.25″ in diameter. 750 bioballs equal 1 cubic foot, and 100 bioballs equal 1 gallon.
Do you need to change Bio balls?
Bio balls don’t really need replaced. They simply provide a foundation for the helpful bacteria to cling to. They simply provide a foundation for the helpful bacteria to cling to. In fact replacing them would remove a huge amount of good bacteria that you need.
Which is better bio balls or ceramic rings?
Bio balls should only be used for biological filtration only. They simply exist to trap and remove waste. Ceramic rings will ultimately trap more bad stuff, but your bio balls will ultimately do a better job of denitrifying bacteria.
How long does bio media last?
HOW LONG DOES BIOHOME LAST? Structurally the filter media can last indefinitely but efficiency start to decline after 6-10 years of use even in a well set up filter where media is protected by foams and allowed to operate in clean water.
Are bio balls effective?
Bio balls provide a place for all the good nitrifying bacteria you need in your tank to live. This is why they have grooves and spaces, as this allows more bacteria to cling to the ball, making these more effective compared to simple spheres.
How many bio balls do I need?
A general rule of thumb is 2.2 gallons of bio balls per 100 gallons of water. Bio balls are available in a range of sizes to fit different types of filters – you will be able to fit more small bio balls in the same-sized filter than you will large ones.
What is inside bio balls?
Bio balls are small, pegged plastic balls mainly used as the biological media in aquarium filters. 2. These little plastic bio balls have TONS of surface area for the growth of bacteria for filtration. They are used as the biological media in salt water and fresh water aquariums as well as ponds.
Can you have too much bio media?
there is no such thing as too much bio media. No matter what, your beneficial bacteria can only grow to the demand. If you have 100lbs of bio media and 1 small fish fed every other day, you will only have a small amount of bacteria despite having 100lbs of media. You absolutely can have not enough media though.
How often should I clean my bio filter?
The general rule of thumb is to clean your aquarium filter, regardless of type, once every month (four weeks). Though, you want to wait at least a week from your last cleaning, of the tank or filter, before your next session to help your fish adjust to the new conditions in the tank.
Should I use bio balls in a reef tank?
Bio Balls can be used in saltwater aquariums but if left uncleaned they easily trap detritus which can lead to high nitrates & phosphates. They provide a large surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize however newer technology is available to work more efficiently & require less maintenance.
Can I reuse old bio balls?
You can use them, but you’ll have to rinse detritus out of them frequently or they become a nitrate factory.
How often do you have to change filter balls?
The cartridge should be changed at least once a month. Or when you see a noticeable decrease in water flow.
How often should BioMax be changed?
The BioMax ceramic rings will stay active for about 6 months. Since they have huge amounts of surface area for the beneficial bacteria that remove ammonia and nitrite, they will gradually clog those pores and tunnel and become inactive after that time.
How long do ceramic balls last?
Even the manufacturers don’t agree! Fluval, for example, recommends that ceramic rings be swapped out every 6 months. Marineland, another ceramic filter manufacturer, states that the rings should never be replaced.
Does Bio balls float?
Yes. They float. But when placed into a confined space they did fill the area no problem.
How often should I change my canister filter media?
Be sure to replace the filter media at least every three to four weeks and give the filter housing a quick rinse. If any algae or debris has accumulated in the intake tube, clean that as well.
Is lava rock a good bio media?
Lava rock – the igneous rock that forms as an erupting volcano’s molten lava cools and hardens – is very porous. When chunks of it live in your filtration system, you provide a lot of surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and grow. That’s what makes it such a great filter media.
What’s the best biological filter media?
Let’s move on now, and see what the 5 best bio-media filters are for your aquarium: Biohome Ultimate Filter Media. Buy on Amazon » This is the first pick on our list. Seachem Matrix Biological Media. Eheim Substrat Pro. Fluval Biomax Filter Media. BrightWater Aquatic Bio Media.
How do you clean bio media?
Turn off the filter. Remove about 1/4 of the bio-balls from the filter chamber and place them into the container with the saltwater. Stir and swish the bio-balls around in the saltwater to break all the gunk or organic matter loose that is stuck on them. If they are extremely dirty, you may have to repeat this step.
