I keep seeing the word, "media"...

what exactly does it mean?

I kept seeing it where people would talk about filters and thought it was only for filters. But then I saw "media bedding" and thought, "ok...what is this media that's being talked about? Also, what's media bedding by the way? lol. I'm thinking it's just simply the substrate?

 

Media is the material in your filter. I believe you're talking about media seeding?

 

To add on Quad's info, there are many types of media. If you buy a tank kit that comes with a filter that hangs on the back (commonly called an HOB filter for that reason) it may come with a filter cartridge, composed of white meshy stuff and a frame to support it, filled with carbon. Other kinds include ceramic rings (useful because they are porous, and thus have more surface area to house beneficial bacteria), bio-balls, polishing pads, and filter floss (though the last two also work to make the water clear, in addition to housing bacteria). Anything in the tank - substrate, rocks, plants, the walls - have bacteria growing on them, but because filter media by definition is porous, there is more surface area (in all the nooks and crannies) for bacteria to live.

If you are talking about "seeding" media, this means putting it in the filter housing of an established tank, then waiting a few weeks for the bacteria to grow on it. Then when you put it in a brand new tank, you already have all the bacteria you want, so you basically achieve an instant cycle. Many members keep extra filter media in established tanks in case they want to set up a new tank.

 

Hi, welcome to Fishlore

The following may help explain filtration (and media):

 

I've never heard of media bedding either.

 

thanks everyone!

I've never heard of media bedding either.

I unfortunately forgot where I read that or else I'd share the post.

 

https://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
I found "media bedding" used at the bottom of this link by a user actually. They made it sound like they were referring to the beneficial bacteria in the substrate.

 

https://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
I found "media bedding" used at the bottom of this link by a user actually. They made it sound like they were referring to the beneficial bacteria in the substrate.

Yes! That's where I read it. (I've been going through so many threads, I forget where I read things)

 

https://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
I found "media bedding" used at the bottom of this link by a user actually. They made it sound like they were referring to the beneficial bacteria in the substrate.

The author obviously either coined the phrase or meant to write something besides bedding. I think it was just a mistake.