Using Bio Balls

Hi All

I was just wondering if it would be of any good to replace the sponge I have in my internal filter with bio balls?

Will keep some sponge at the intake for mechanical filtration but replace the rest with bio balls.
They seem to do a very good job with biological filtration increasing flow, surface area and oxygenation.

Could one also do this with a simple bubble filter. Just some filter floss on top and the rest filled with bio balls. Just feel that this would create better flow.

I know they use them in overflow boxes but I want to know how effective they will be in a HOB or internal filter.
I could not find anythinig bad about them around the internet.

Surface area

 

the bio balls might get clogged up with dirt quite quickly

 

Thats why you keep the sponge at the intake. You can also take out half the balls and clean them and at a later stage the other half.

 

if you do go this route Vis, let me know how it works out for you...i might consider doing the same thing...

 

I have bio-balls and Eheim ceramic balls in all of my filters - works great

 

I have ceramic rings and bio balls too. Also works fantastic.

 

I suggest you use bioballs and a layer of sponge.
Bioballs at the bottom and a layer of sponge covering the bioballs.

The sponge will act as a mechanical filter, filtering any particles; also promotes bacterial growth. Thus also acts as a biological filter.
Bio balls act as a biological filter, increasing surface area for bacterial growth to a greater extent.

 

Bio-balls work great, but need sponge and filter-floss ahead of it to keep it and the bacteria
clean.The same goes for ceramic rings-get the most porous available. At one stage, Siporax
ceramic rings was the best. Do anyone know if it is still available and is there perhaps something better?

 

I think aerogel would make an incredible bio media

 

I got a sponge at the intake and then some filter-floss right on top of the bio-balls. Works great, i just replace the floss every 2-3 months.

 

aerogel not a solid?

 

is 99% air, or something like that, the most porous substance on earth

 

Thats cool, any idee how it reacts in heated water of 25C.

 

Tell us more about aerogel!

 

seems to be pretty good with heat Vis



here is a link to all you need to know about aerogel. Still havent been able to track any down locally, lol. Think it would cost an arm and a leg.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel

 

Nor sure I can believe that pic. Most porous substance and it does not let heat through.

Ok from who's spaceship did they steal that piece?

 

it was actually developed by NASA lol

 

That's possibly why you can't source it locally.

 

Lots of other companies have strated to manufacture aerogel.
You can actually buy some (55cm x 55cm) for +/-32 pounds excl shipping and all other transfer costs etc...

http://www.tonyboon.co.uk/aerogel/aerogel.htm

 

just wondering how bio balls work ? they are plastic and don't seem porous , wouldn't ceramic rings do beter?