Marine Pure Ceramic Biomedia 1.50" Spheres

[CloudIX]

Any one use the Marine Pure Ceramic Biomedia 1.50" Spheres? I was thinking about getting these and running them in my sump instead of the plastic bio balls. Are they as good as they are saying?

[Pickupman66]

not too sure about them but bioballs are old and most dont use them. they r detritus factories and more trouble than they r worth.

[CloudIX]

Omg i feel like i have been out of the hobby too long. everything im used to is OLD... LOL, what do people put in the sump tanks now? just a filter sock?

[NeedBiggerTank]

At least you're using a sump! Talk about "old" - I'm using an Eheim 2217!!! ;)

[CloudIX]

At least you're using a sump! Talk about "old" - I'm using an Eheim 2217!!! ;)

Ok, im not to bad then.. :p

[Pickupman66]

my sump is empty as far as media. well, I have a large chunk of LR in there but not much else. the bioballs were not for mechanical filtration, but more providing a surface area for the bacteria to colonize. sadly, it also trapped detritus and therefor can be a nitrate or phosphate factory.

[NeedBiggerTank]

Ok, im not to bad then.. :p

I'm always here to help fellow reefers.... feel better about their set-ups. :wave:

[CloudIX]

my sump is empty as far as media. well, I have a large chunk of LR in there but not much else. the bioballs were not for mechanical filtration, but more providing a surface area for the bacteria to colonize. sadly, it also trapped detritus and therefor can be a nitrate or phosphate factory.

yea i knew it was not mechanical filtration but a way for it to reduce nitrates with the bacteria that grows on it. If it was a trap for detritus why did reefers ever use it? Is that the reason that no one is really using it anymore?

[CloudIX]

I'm always here to help fellow reefers.... feel better about their set-ups. :wave:

Well in that case come on over and have a beer. I can use that kind of cheering up any time. Especially since i have this tank and not one drop of water in it yet.

[pelagic7]

I used this before, it did the job well.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Eheim_SUBSTRAT_Pro_Biological_Filtration_Media_Bio_Ceramic_Resin_Filter_Media-Eheim-EH2510021-FIFMBOCR-vi.html

[CloudIX]

Why are you not using it anymore?

[poolkeeper1]

If you are using the sump as a Refugium some Live Rock Rubble will serve as a haven for bacteria and a place for Pods to multiply along with many other micro fauna that will help keep the tank healthy.
If you are just using the sump for a place to turn over water and keep a skimmer in you can just keep it bare.
Or you can do a combo of all the above, The only thing i do not like in a sump is Sand, Unless you are making a real deep sandbed 8" deep. This after time reduces Nitrates naturally and can also be a time bomb if it becomes too dirty and actually starts to harm the system more than help. Most people do a remote DSB that is in a container that can be removed easy and replaced with a new one. Hope this helps you a little in getting up to speed as to current methods.
Bill

[CloudIX]

cool thanks for that bill. My sump has a whole different chamber for the ref (also not part of the normal flow), and my mr-3 skimmer is external of the sump. I plan on replacing the skimmer next. For as small as my load is going to be my skimmer will serve just fine for a few months.

In the ref i was going to use the kent marine biosediment, some small pieces of rock and some cheato. It's not going to have a real fast flow threw the ref. I hope for it to be a haven for copeapods.