Filter media

[John in NZ]

Hopefully this question hasn't been done to death in the forum, but here goes.

Last night, I was watching a youthful Cory, back in 2016, explaining how to hot-rod your filter.  It's a great video, thanks Cory, but it did throw up one question in my mind, and that was about the function of the various filter media that are available to us.

I understand that we are hoping to achieve mechanical, and biological filtration, and that the biological filtration splits into aerobic and anaerobic filtration, but I'm not sure how foam filters, ceramic tubes or bio-balls fit into that picture.

So, can anyone enlighten me ... 🙂

 

[Mitch_ScruffyCityAquatics]

I think Cory pretty much recommends running mostly sponge. 

[John in NZ]

Yep Mitch, 

That comes across quite clearly in the video, but in one case he dropped ceramic tubes into a filter, so clearly they do have a place in the filtration process. 

After all, if the different foams could cover all of the filter requirements, why do we bother with the other media? 

[Flumpweesel]

The ceramics don't get as clogged as foam so potentially can provide bacterial for longer. As once flow is diminished the aerobic will die off 

I use a mix of both in my canister because, well that's what came with it so why not and ceramic is much quicker to rinse than foam so it cuts down the maintenance time.

I use foam to catch the worst then ceramic, then foam. I think it's about 3/5ths foam overall

[John in NZ]

On 9/23/2022 at 10:15 AM, Flumpweesel said:

The ceramics don't get as clogged as foam so potentially can provide bacterial for longer. As once flow is diminished the aerobic will die off 

I use a mix of both in my canister because, well that's what came with it so why not and ceramic is much quicker to rinse than foam so it cuts down the maintenance time.

I use foam to catch the worst then ceramic, then foam. I think it's about 3/5ths foam overall

That makes a lot of sense, especially when you consider the way that Cory likes to pre-filter with the foam over the intake. 

It also fits that, even if the filter is neglected, the ceramic tube or bio ball will provide some mechanical filtration.

Thanks ... 🙂