Equipment Review and Discussion :: Best Filters?

[FishTechNH]

Don't bother with the ceramic rings, very little surface area and little benefit. Matrix from Seachem will make a better biological medium as well as provide an inner anaerobic area for nitrate removal.

[marisa]

I think I've seen Matrix at Petsmart, but thought it was an awfully small amount for the price they wanted for it. Just curious, but don't ceramic rings also provide an inner area for beneficial bacteria to grow? I was considering using lava rock in one of my filters, but at a very good aquarium store (I think) near me, I was told that the rings (in this case for the XP3) were much better (they sold both, and the lava rock wasn't cheap).

[CountryGirl68]

Maybe I'm wrong but I saw the Matrix at a pet store and felt that the ceramic rings give more surface for the bacteria, since they are hollow and porous.

[Spookster]

Maybe I'm wrong but I saw the Matrix at a pet store and felt that the ceramic rings give more surface for the bacteria, since they are hollow and porous.

I would have to agree with you on that. A solid object of the same size would not have as much surface area as the rings since on the rings you have the outside surface and the inside surface area.

[FishTechNH]

I understand your points, but the interior porousity is where you get the most benefit from this product as a bio-medium. The added benefit of the anaerobic porousity within the medium's center provides the added benefit of natural nitrate reduction (NNR) from anaerobic bacteria. For more detail and pictures you can check out Seachem's website at http://www.seachem.com This is lacking in the bio-rings where water flows through the open center.

[Spookster]

So what you are saying is that the porousity on the outside of the rings doesn't work for growing beneficial bacteria? Well I use the Rena Filstar ceramic rings since I use the XP3 and according the Rena site they say it will grow on the outside as well.

• Made from extremely porous ceramics for maximum surface area
• Permits the growth of large colonies of beneficial bacteria
• Durable – require no cleaning or maintenance



Ceramic Rings are specially designed for use in all FilStar filters. They have a higher cumulative pore volume per liter than standard biological media used in most canister filters. Their highly porous, hollow design effectively distributes water flow and allows massive colonies of beneficial bacteria to grow on and inside each ring, creating an ideal "biological filter." FilStar Ceramic Rings create the ideal substrate for the growth of nitrifying bacteria that remove toxic ammonia and nitrite from aquarium water. They will not break down in the filter or alter pH or water hardness.



DIRECTIONS FOR USE IN RENA® FilStar FILTERS:
One 1-liter bag of Ceramic Rings should be used for every 75 U.S. gallons (285 L) of aquarium water.



1. Remove Ceramic Rings from plastic bag and rinse thoroughly to remove any dust.



2. Place Ceramic Rings in the last (top) compartment in the FilStar filter.



3. FilStar Ceramic Rings will become colonized by bacteria within several weeks. Using STRESS ZYME will help in the development of the biological filter.



With normal use, FilStar Ceramic Rings will not need to be replaced or cleaned. Good bacterial growth is evidenced by a brownish film growing on the rings. This film should NOT be cleaned off. Continuous water flow is necessary to maintain living colonies of bacteria.

Are they lying to us?

[FishTechNH]

No, ofcourse not. Aerobic bacteria will grow on almost any surface area where oxygen is present even the glass in your aquarium has aerobic bacteria growing on it. All surfaces of any bio-ring, bio-ball, etc. will house increased numbers of beneficial nitrifying bacteria. My point with the matrix is the added benefit of the anaerobic bacteria that grows in the inner surfaces that will help to naturally reduce nitrates from the water.

[Spookster]

I'm not sure if I understand yet. So your talking about removing nitrates and they are talking about removing nitrites?

I knew there was a reason I should have paid attention in chem class at college.

[FishTechNH]

Ammonia and Nitrites on the external aerobic surface of the medium as well as nitrates on the internal anaerobic surface of the medium. Similar to the way that live rock and deep live sand beds function in a reef aquarium. If you click on the matrix faqs on the Seachem website it will give more examples.

[CountryGirl68]

I'm sorry FishTech, but I'm a bit confused too. (Maybe I should have taken Chemistry in school ). The way it looked to me is that the Matrix looked like a pebble. Are you saying that bacteria will grow inside the pebble? I've never kept a reef aquarium so I'm not familiar with live rocks and sand beds.

I looked at the site you linked but didn't understand it either. Can you explain it a bit better ... in simpler terms? I'm not questioning what you're saying, I just honestly don't understand.

[FishTechNH]

Hi Guys, I'm sorry for being confusing. Basically the rings use the good bacteria to break down ammonia and nitrite with oxygen (aerobic) The matrix does the same thing on the outside of the particle or pebble just like the rings do. But, because they are a solid piece the inside of the individual pieces or pebbles will grow another kind of good bacteria without oxygen (anaerobic) that help to break down the Nitrate. This is the full nitrogen cycle. With a medium that only breaks down ammonia and nitrite, nitrate continues to build up out of control an this is only doing part of the nitrogen cycle.

[Andrew7769]

what about aqua-clears bio media, they look like white pellets do they do the same thing?

[FishTechNH]

Almost forgot The complete nitrogen cycle breaks down as follows;

Turtle Waste breaks down into Ammonia (NH3)

Aerobic Bacteria (with oxygen) breaks down Ammonia into Nitrite (NO2)

Aerobic Bacteria (with oxygen) breaks down Nitrite into Nitrate (NO3)

Anaerobic Bacteria (without oxygen) breaks down Nitrate into Nitrogen and Oxygen which is expelled into the air and is reused by plants and animals.

[FishTechNH]

I'm not familiar with the aquaclear bio medium, but it is possible.

[CountryGirl68]

Now I understand what you're saying. Thanks FishTech.

So, I already have the ceramic rings for my XP3. Can I use both the Matrix and ceramic rings?