Table of Contents
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.
Which is better bio balls or ceramic rings?
Bio balls only carry nitrifying bacteria. Ceramic noodles can carry both nitrifying bacteria on the surface and denitrifying bacteria inside. That makes ceramic rings the hands down winner since they can carry both types of bacteria. You see, ceramic rings increase their surface area through tiny little pores.
Can I use both bio balls and ceramic rings?
Bio balls can only carry nitrifying bacteria but ceramic rings carry both nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. The pores of ceramic rings offer extra space for bacteria to live. But they can get clogged easily and even permanently blocked.
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.
How often should I replace bio balls?
Bio balls don’t really need replaced. They simply provide a foundation for the helpful bacteria to cling to.
What is the best biological filter media?
Biofilter Media Reviews
- Fluval BioMax Bio Rings. Fluval BIOMAX bio rings are composed of silica and aluminum oxide formed into a porous ring.
- Fluval Bio Foam. Fluval Bio Foam is manufactured from a dense, porous foam material.
- Seachem Matrix.
- Eheim Substrat Pro.
- CerMedia MarinePure.
- Marineland Biofilter Balls.
- Bio-Chem Stars.
Are ceramic rings bad?
Your ceramic rings are home to beneficial bacteria. Your new ceramic rings will not have any beneficial bacteria living on them. If you remove all your old ceramic rings and replace them with new ones, you would also remove most of the beneficial bacteria in your aquarium.
What can replace bio balls?
Bioballs are nothing more than surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize onto. A better replacement would be a sand bed or porous rock.
Is lava rock better than ceramic rings?
Lava Rock – What Are the Differences? Lava rock provides more surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow when compared to ceramic rings. It is thus more effective for water filtration.
Can you have too much bio media?
Can you have too much bio media? Yes, especially in a planted tank where the plants are doing a lot of the bio filtration. The excess volume of bio media may take up the space in the filter that could be better used by more mechanical media.
Do bio balls float?
Depending on your application floating bioballs may be fine. We have a 700G tank and require sinking bioballs, therefore we use the Laguna ones Which Indeed DO SINK. and DO NOT FLOAT.
Are ceramic rings worth it?
Because ceramic rings are non-metallic, they are a good choice for those who cannot wear metal jewelry and can be used as a wedding band because it is not as conductive as an electrician. Metal jewelry can also transfer current to sensitive equipment such as computers and cause damage.
Can you shower with a ceramic ring?
Ceramic rings can get wet. You can, therefore, wear them everywhere with you. However, be mindful of the environment that you expose it to. Harsh chemicals such as harsh cleaning detergents, chlorine, and saltwater can affect the luster on the ceramic ring.
How long does it take for bacteria to grow on bio balls?
Two weeks should be enough time for bacteria to grow on them. That’s if the tank is fully established.
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.
Should I clean my bio balls?
If you notice a thick green or brown gunk coating your bio balls, then you need to clean them. Cleaning bio balls is best done during a water change. Take some of the water you removed from your tank and swish the bio balls around in it. Don’t scrub or wipe your bio balls as this can remove the bacteria.
Which biological media is best?
6 Best Biological Filter Media For Aquarium & Canister Filter- Reviews 2021 [Pick Your Right One]
- Fluval Biomax Filter Media.
- Biohome Ultimate Filter Media.
- Marineland Canister Filter Bio-Balls.
- OUTFISH Aquarium Bio Balls Filter Media with Mesh Bag.
- Boxtech Ceramic Biological Filter Media for Marine And Freshwater Fish 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.
How many bio balls are needed per gallon?
How Many Bio Balls To Use Per Gallon? Of course, this depends on your specific tank set up, but a good general rule is to use about 2.2 gallons of bio balls per 100 gallons of water in your tank.
How long do Bio balls last?
How long do Bio-Balls last? Bio-Balls are made to have a large SA to encourage the growth of marine nitrifying bacteria. Once they have a stable poulation, changing them would leave you without all of the bacteria that had grown there. They should last forever.
Where do you put bio balls?
Place the bio balls in the stream of water running through your fish tank’s filter. Although bio balls will catch some pieces of algae, they are not meant to be used as a physical filter. Installing them downstream of a filter membrane will help keep them from clogging.
Are bio balls good or bad?
IMO bio balls are bad. When you have the proper amount of live rock,one and a half to two lbs per gallon,filter floss and bag of carbon that your overflow drains through you will be in good shape. Bio balls are only bad if you do not keep up with the maintenance on them.
