Best biological filtration media in a sump?

Hi all

I am currently busy setting up my new sump, and would like advise on the best media to use (or combination) for biological filtration, as this will be my first sump.

I've seen coarse sponges, ceramic rings, pebbles and plastic bioballs being used.

Please help with your knowledge, and please be specific regarding brands as I know some brands are much better quality than others.

Regards

PB

 

For 1st stage mechanical filtration you can use some batting - the inners they use for comforters - available from any material shop,cheap and lasts a bit better than normal aquarium filter floss... Cut to size and stick it in.... Biological media -anything with a large surface area is good,but if you want to buy the best in my opinion - go for Seachem Matrix

 

That only works on small scale when you can spend $$$ on a bottle or 5. On larger scale setup bio-balls still remain the best option.

 

Yip, Matrix= Not cheap, and to fill a canister for a 400l tank, ouch!

1=Batting, 2= Open Cell sponge, bio balls and ceramic rings

 

@PappaBear
Now you opened Pandora's box man

Bio blocs black bag R135
Bio rocks R75 a bag
Filter wool course R100 a bag(cut out what you need )
Nitrate,phosphor and carbon pads R52each a bag(only cut out what you need wil last very long)
This works and I got it from PETSTOP
Used seachem prime and a micro lift ? Vial to start the filter
Only a list that works for me IMO only

Again IMO only

 

I use a combo Ceramic rings, matrix, porous sponge and UV sterilizer

 

Biological filtration is all about surface area and not volume. You might find that 500g of Matrix has the same surface area as 5kg of bio ball. So Matrix might still be a better option. Do the sum.

 

I would have said JBL micromec but seachem's marketing guys put a nice spin on the competitor .... Lucky for you I see they have 100l bags http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Matrix.html

 

I also use a combination filter media:-

Bio-Balls
Ceramics
Hydroton

 

Yeah - true I run that in filter socks - forgot about them - almost never have to clean them. Depending on the filter figuration - but if you have something that has columns as the compartments then the bio-balls are cool to use in the same compartment as the heater. All the other filter material seems to snuggle up to the heater to much.

For easy cleaning in big breeding setups I have seen pics that only have batting and open cell sponge in big sheets.

 

Once you go matrix you won't go back. No matter what price.

 

What about Siporax?

 

No-one's mentioned lava rock yet... I don't think it could be called the BEST, but if budget is an issue, then... I've only got tiny little filters, so no exp. with sumps. But have gone over to Matrix now, tho lava rock worked fine for me.

 

Amen Brother and purigen

 

Siporax was the wonder product - Matrix - of years ago.

I still have a few rings from the Ninetys but have no idea where to get it now?

 

you can order loose per/l from a few .de sites 5 euro + shipping + tax SARS

 

@f-fish Thanks for that!

I am pretty impressed with Hydroton and at about R10 a litre it fits the bill really well.

 

True - I mean 10l of Siporax from de would be 75 euro's + at minimum 14% tax ... vs R100 for hydroton .. bur I would suggest get the bigger hydroton balls not the small / medium balls.

 

Google Hamburg Mattenfilter

 

lol - please note I was not the one that suggested a HMF ... must be missing the beat.