DIY Biomedia

I'm busy working on a nicer version of the above the tank sump this will be closer to a true sump design. Its currently going to have 4 chambers and can have up to 12, but ill keep u guys posted on this when its all completed. I have been searching th internet for cheaper biomedia as ceramic rings and bioballs tend to be a bit expensive. Each chamber holds abt 2liters of space that needs to be filled I have found the following whilst searching I'm asking all of u if u have used any home versions of bio media pref tried and tested but untested ideas are all welcome thanks a lot. Here is what I found.

Filter floss both mech and bio
Gravel both mech and bio
Pvc shavings bio
Ceramic rings both mech and bio
Bioballs bio
Plastic bottles cut and put into a blender then used bio
Teracota tiles bio
Plastic pot scrubbers bio

 

One of my friends made a biomedia using only wool,gravel and small pieces of cut sponge for the filter.

 

Plastic pot scrubbers, easiest and very cheap.

 

+1

 

hair curlers - stuff ladies use in hair and sit under hair drier, those will also work

 

The problem with the plastic pot scubbers is that I have only seen brass and stainless steel ones where would u always find the plastic ones

 

Pick 'n pay

 

also try those bargain price stores like excite etc.

 

Try flee markets for new cheap haircurlers and plastic scrubbers -also the R5-Store or Crazy stores.
I can only advice that the best ceramic rings is probably Siporax - Developed by NASA.
Otherwise get the most porous rings you can get!
Gert.

 

haha hair curlers ?

never thought of that one ...

I once thought of buying thin pvc pipes , getting 1000+ grit sand paper then sanding them a little to roughen the surface . then cutting the pipes into small 5 cm pieces , maybe filling them with sponge or floss , but using shaved pvc might be beter .

I think it has potential
just lazy to try

 

Shaving PVC pipe, man this hobby can be exciting.

 

Naa, have used the hair curlers in a sump, works like a bomb, good alternative to the bio balls, just make sure the curlers are different sizes

 

Thanks for all the help keep them coming just found this website http://www.koiadventures.co.za/Home.aspx?Page=UsrGeneric.ascx&Rec=258 they have some really interesting biomedia including shade cloth

 

You can see whether 'Plastics for Africa" has the hair curles. they usely sell it by the bag for like R24.