Biological media for HOB filter

[xev11]

I have an Aquaclear 150 on my 16G tank and currently only have the sponge media in the filter. I was recommended to get some biological stuff in there too. From some research I assume that bio media is just a place for microorganisms to live and do their thing.

What media should I get that will last a long time, I don't want to keep buying a new pack every few months.
I assume that the aquaclear biomax would require a regular update every 6 months or so.

And I would like to not spend a lot of money. I would say $15ish max

[HolyAngel]

The biomax or something similar would be the best bet, maybe hydroton would be cheaper or some other volcanic stone(needs to be porous for bacteria). Anything you get tho will have to be replaced every 6 months or so tho period.

For an HOB, you can get a filter bag and put the media in there, I put my air stone in the bottom ofthe back of my HOB in my 5g with the biomax right on top of it, makes for a cheap 'moving bed' filter that really takes care of any ammonia or nitrite ASAP. ^^

[xev11]

Hmm, how about biochem stars? Someone said that they last a really long time, like years.

[nokturnalkid]

I'm assuming the biomax is the ceramic rings. If they are, then you have your bio media that will last years. I had a ac500(old model) that came with the ceramic rings and they lasted years. They just need a cleaning every so often just to get the gunk off.

[cmosh]

I run my aquaclear with just sponges, you don't need anything else, just alternate which sponge you clean, the biomax does nothing the sponge doesn't already do.

[xev11]

@nokturalkid: the aquaclear biomax is some soft of white ceramic/clay/other material in pellet form.

@cmosh: I've noticed a lot of stuff floating around. Could i just use any open cell foam/sponge to get the finer stuff out of the water?

[Landau]

Yes that Biomax will last indefinitely with just a rinse now and then, only rinse half at a time, rinse the other half a few weeks later.

You should be able to find an actual aquaclear 150 (now called aquaclear 30) sponge at any local fish store for around $2. They are a perfect fit, last for years and you can put up to 3 of them in your filter.

To get finer stuff out, stuff some floss in there too.

[nokturnalkid]

Originally Posted by xev11

@nokturalkid: the aquaclear biomax is some soft of white ceramic/clay/other material in pellet form.

@cmosh: I've noticed a lot of stuff floating around. Could i just use any open cell foam/sponge to get the finer stuff out of the water?

Any ceramic media will be fine for bio media. Like cmosh said, you could also just get another sponge. If you want to get the finer stuff, pillow stuffing works wonders but in a hob, it would be kind of hard to keep that stuff contained. You could get some of the blue/white filter sponges from your lfs or online. That stuff works pretty well in getting the finer stuff that the ac sponges can't. Just cut them to fit and they can be reused after cleaning a few times. In my ac's, I usually just run the sponge and some purigen and call it a day. There's more than enough biological filtration happening in the substrate.

[cmosh]

Exactly what Land said, just toss some filter floss in, I run two sponges in combination with this to filter out finer particulate:

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...1&pcatid=18351

[xev11]

OK cool. Would I be able to get any of this filter floss or pad stuff in homedepot?

[cmosh]

Local pet shops should have it, most don't have it with the felt, that happens to be my preference,but I primarily use the felt for my salt tank, the regular bonded without felt should suffice for you, you can usually find packages of it with the canister and pond filters.

[kevmo911]

I'm not entirely clear on how much media you have in there currently. If your basket is filled with the sponge media currently, you don't need anything else. You can always get another sponge if it's not full. The sponge is both mechanical *and* biological media. You can use filter floss instead of the sponge if you want. You can also buy biomax if you really want, but realistically *anything* you put in there becomes biological media. If it's a solid and has surface area, it will become biological media.

I have an AC70 (AC300) on a 25g, and I keep a bag of bio-balls in there (on top of 2 sponges) only because it's small enough that I can stuff a bag of carbon in next to it when I want to clear out meds or film. Healthy fish, healthy plants.

[xev11]

kevmo911, about 70% of the basket is full with 2 sponges.
I'll go to petsmart to see what they have, but it seems like I'll get the Aqua-Pure filter media that is $1 to see how it goes. I might also get another sponge or something else.

Thanks all very much. My biggest concern was whether the sponges I had also provided bio filtration since the guy at my lfs recommended I also get some specific bio stuff.

[kevmo911]

If your fish aren't sick or dying, you have enough bio media

[cmosh]

Originally Posted by kevmo911

If your fish aren't sick or dying, you have enough bio media

+1, my sentiments exactly