Are bio balls better than ceramic?

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.

Are bio balls effective?

Bio balls provide a place for all the good nitrifying bacteria you need in your tank to live. The surface of each bio ball is designed to have as much surface area as possible so the bacteria have as much as possible to cling to.

How long do ceramic bio 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.

Is Bio balls good for aquarium?

As long as you use bio balls without washing but keeping in your filter system is so much good for your fishes in the tank. Bio balls are used in all power filters, canister filers, top filers, pond filer systems. Using bio ball your fishes will get good color, good growth and good shape.

How long does it take for bacteria to grow on bio balls?

As soon as you drop those Marine Pure Balls into your established tank the beneficial bacteria will start to colonize them. After three or four days you'll have a healthy population growing on them, but you might want to wait at least a week for good measure. GL.

Filtration: Cheap vs. Expensive Bio Media - Is One Really Better than the Other?

Do bio balls cause nitrates?

If you are doing a reef you do not need bio balls. Yes they will contribute to nitrate issues.

How long do Bio rings last?

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.

Do bio balls work submerged?

It is also important to remember that bio balls are not meant to stay submerged underwater. They are designed for water to trickle over them so that beneficial bacteria stays wet while the tank water is aerated.

How long does bio-media last?

Bio-media does clog over time, and it is recommended to provide clean filter media for effective colonization by bacteria. This family of nitrifying bacteria will benefit from partial media changes every 3-6 months to ensure clean porous surfaces are available.

Can I put ceramic rings directly in aquarium?

Ceramic rings can be put into the aquarium in many ways. Most aquarium filter media kits come equipped with ceramic rings inside, all you would need to do is drop them into the aquarium, and they will settle at the bottom.

What is the purpose of ceramic rings in aquarium?

Ceramic rings are biological media that provides a very large surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow and live. This bacteria on your ceramic rings is required to complete the Nitrogen Cycle in your tank, which converts harmful ammonia and nitrite in to the less harmful nitrate.

Can you use lava rock as filter 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.

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.

Where do you place 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.

What are bio balls made out of?

TRUSTED! Our Bio balls are 100% polypropylene making them a safe reliable biological filtration media for fresh and saltwater. They are manufactured for use in koi and water garden ponds, freshwater fish tanks, saltwater aquariums, aquaponics, fish hatcheries and much more.

Should you replace bio balls?

I would also just leave them in.....they can only really become an issue in a reef tank where the nitrates need to be kept lower. I would just monitor your water and adjust your water changes to keep them manageable. Those bio balls should provide plenty of biological filtration in a fish only tank.

How often should I clean my bio filter?

When you clean your Biofalls, you wipe out this delicate ecosystem that your pond has spent so much time building up. We recommend cleaning it only once per year, usually as part of an annual spring clean-out, before the water temperature in the pond is consistently above 55 degrees.

Where do bio balls go in a sump?

They are not intended to trap detritus and particles, and if you are using them in the sump, should be placed in the area of your sump least likely to come into contact with detritus, normally closest to the return. Detritus should be removed through other forms of filtration such as a filter socks or filter sponges.

How long do ceramic rings last in an aquarium?

However, other manufacturers recommend that ceramic rings in aquariums be replaced every 6 to 8 months. The reason for this is because although ceramic is quite tough, it does wear down over time.

How often should you change Biorb ceramic media?

Replacing some of the media every year or so can help to keep the filtration efficiency. Never replace more than 1/3rd of your media at one time and wait at least a month before replacing any more in order to keep a healthy population of bacteria.

How much bio media do I need?

Each 2000g of FilterPlus is enough bio-media to filter a heavily stocked 125 to 150 gallon aquarium, or a medium-stocked 225 gallon aquarium. We recommend 75 to 100 grams per 10 gallons for medium-stock level, and 150 to 200 grams per 10 gallons for heavy-stock level.

Do bio balls reduce nitrate?

The surface area of Plastic Bio-Balls is all external and hence, always exposed to oxygen rich water. It can convert ammonia to nitrate, but can go no further. There is no opportunity for anaerobic bacteria to develop in the media.

Are bio balls good for 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 you put Airstone in sump?

It is not good to have an airstone in the tank or sump. If you are putting the airstone inside the skimmer to make bubbles for skimming, that is ok. Small air bubbles can get into your fish and cause illness. Also the bubbles will cause skimming outside of the filter.