What is YOUR preferred type of biological media in a canister filter?

There’s so many options, I just can’t make my mind up and it’s starting to hinder me from buying anything at all.

I’m using a canister filter with three stage filtration — mechanical media (coarse/medium/fine foam), and then the next two trays are for my biological media (unless at some point I have to stick in chemical media after medicating or something) Ideally, mechanical and biological media are what I want in my filter as I don’t really like the idea of chemical media because I feel like it compromises my nitrogen cycle and puts it at risk of crashing, ammonia spikes, and it can get stupid expensive.

I’m not a big fan of the plastic bio balls in a canister filter just because I’ve read they aren’t a great thing for a fully submerged filter, etc. I AM a big fan of lava rock and the idea of it reducing nitrates, but I’ve only been using that for like a week in my canister and my tank is still cycling so I’ve yet to come to any conclusion on how beneficial the lava rock is compared to other forms of bio media.

I’ve had ceramic rings in my AquaClear 70 since 12/2020… they seem to work ok, but nothing special. It doesn’t “control” my nitrates like Matrix claims to do, but definitely does help keep my ammonia and nitrite at absolutely 0ppm when fully cycled.

I’ve been looking into Seachem Matrix as it claims that it does more than normal bio media, but wondering if it’s legit. Is it recommended to even use Matrix in canister? Have y’all had any luck with it?

Would it be beneficial to use two types of bio media in the same filter? (example: lava rock + ceramic rings, or matrix + ceramic bio rings, or any other combo?) What have you guys had the most success with?

Just trying to get an idea of what everyone prefers… and overthinking it a lot. (Lol)


(If you’re wondering my bioload is fairly light as I have a 75g tank with 1 comet goldfish in it — four sponge filters, and a 303b canister that has “370 gallons per hour” flow rate)

 

It all does broadly the same thing KingJade, at least from my experience anyway. I use a mixture of matrix and fluval biomax in all my filters (canisters, internals and hobs) and it does what it needs to.

others will tell you using certain media reduced their nitrates to 0, changed their lives etc. Thats not what ive seen from using these two brands anyway.

dont overthink it - your beneficial bacteria needs a place to live and grow and using some decent porous biomedia will allow that to happen.

 

You're absolutely correct using chemical media only to remove meds and nothing else.

The media that claim they reduce nitrates are mostly chemical media, not biological. And it usually takes a certain filter setup with anaerobic zones to actually get the effect in biofiltration. Not going to work in a canister filter. Maybe with a very big sump (500-1000l).

But otherwise: Biomedia is biomedia. All the manufacturers are offering technically identical material and in my experience it doesn't matter which one you get. Often the cheapest works just as well as the most expensive.

I AM a big fan of lava rock and the idea of it reducing nitrates, but I’ve only been using that for like a week in my canister and my tank is still cycling so I’ve yet to come to any conclusion on how beneficial the lava rock is compared to other forms of bio media.

I don't know who put the idea out. Lava rock doesn't reduce nitrates. The rock rubble is just a natural alternative to ceramic biomedia, as it's also porous. Also to see a difference after just a week is very unlikely. New media first has to cycle.

I am really wondering what wonders you are expecting. Correctly cycled media do the cycle, produce nitrates as an end product. This is what biomedia are supposed to do. Then it either is used up by plants or removed by waterchanges. Period. That's how it works.

 

I only use ceramic rings in my filters. They get the job done, but as they house bacteria they contribute to the production of nitrate rather than the removal of it. There really is no way to pick a favourite media unless there’s one type that’s thought to look prettier than the rest.

I’m a little curious... what makes you think media removes nitrate?

 

I thought there was some bacteria that turns nitrates into carbon? I believe someone on here achieved 0 nitrates always through this. But no media does it better I don't believe. Also, for chemical media there is purigen, it is a one time purchase as you can revive it with vinegar (Or bleach, I don't remember). And it's not activated carbon, I believe it does the same things though (Smell/clarity), it also claims to remove ammonia (I don't know if it's true, but most products like that aren't).


My personal favorite media are sponges as they work as both mechanical and biological filtration. But I think if you already have mechanical, I would go for the lava rock, it's cheap and works just as well as bio balls, bio rings, etc.



Here's the thread on 0 nitrates: 0 Nitrates Is So Easy, Why Does No One Do It? 180 Gallon Tank - | Advanced Freshwater Aquarium Topics Forum | 382099

 

I use matrix in all of my filters. It is supposed to be more porous than other media and therefore can hold more beneficial bacteria. I dont know if that is true or whether it is actually any better than cheaper alternatives but it seems to work fine for me.

 

I thought there was some bacteria that turns nitrates into carbon?

That's what I meant with certain circumstances. Those bacteria settle in anaerobic conditions. Almost impossible to achieve with certain standard filter types. And the media itself has little influence on that.

 

I like the stuff fluval includes. Like 2 stages of sponges, one of ceramic media (though I don't like the pumice junk they actually give you. I like the more smooth stuff you can get online), and then the last filter bit can be carbon and another sponge imo.

Nothing too crazy, I don't think that there is any reason to do more than that, unless you want to overstock the tank a LOT and want a whole bunch of area for BB to live on.

 

In my 407 I have the sponges from my old canister in bottom with floss on top. The Eheim Substrat in the middle tray from the old filter, them the new Fluval biomax in the top. Working great! Never have even had a hint of anything when I test.

 

Its all about surface area but most media will give you way more than required to house the bacteria established to handle most bioloads.

Other than having good set of graduated foam sponges at the beginning it really doesnt matter what you use after that.

I've recently been liking the small ceramic balls that topfin sells. I don't know how it compares for surface area but its nice to work with. Also have lots of rings of various brands and one tray is filled with the sponge filled plastic balls.

 

I just don't like the plastic because they float and are a pain when cleaning.

 

I just don't like the plastic because they float and are a pain when cleaning.

I can see that, but I just mix the bio balls with the ceramic rings and then toss them both in a media bag and put it in. The rings hold down the bag that way.

I honestly think the rings are better though since they should have more surface areas than plastic and a cube of sponge. That said, the bio balls are apparently for systems where they might be bouncing or moving around a bit and ceramics would break, or powder and then cause issues down the line. Plastic doesn't tend to do that, and is very abrasion resistant, so I think that is where they would shine.

 

I can see that, but I just mix the bio balls with the ceramic rings and then toss them both in a media bag and put it in. The rings hold down the bag that way.

I honestly think the rings are better though since they should have more surface areas than plastic and a cube of sponge. That said, the bio balls are apparently for systems where they might be bouncing or moving around a bit and ceramics would break, or powder and then cause issues down the line. Plastic doesn't tend to do that, and is very abrasion resistant, so I think that is where they would shine.

I dont use Media bags so there's my issue. Lol

 

biohome is great....BUT....Its expensive as ****. I bought 8 lbs ($150 of so now)and that was enough for two of the four trays of my Sunsun filter. It looks about the same as. it did when new. and will last. a LONG time, but I won't buy any more because of price.

The third tray has Eheim substrate pro that came with my 2217 filter. It works fine too.

My fourth tray has three densities of foam.

If I were to start a new tank, I'd look for large pieces of pumice stone. That's what Matrix is.

I also have the Eheim 2217 on the tank, and that has nothing but foam in it. Foam is great stuff. Its good for everything.

 

I have tried pretty much all but the uber expensive biohome stuff. I even have tried things like perlite and hydroponic clay balls drawn down under vacuum to try for the supposed nitrate reducing anaerobic action. "nitrate reducing anaerobic action" seemed to do nothing, I'm guessing it is the same for biohome.
I have ended up where everyone said I would. I stuff my filters with foam. Yep, foam and only foam. I also run large foam prefilters to increase the time between filter cleanings. My cans that are not all foam simply have not needed a cleaning since I went all foam or I had run out of foam when cleaning them. Those prefilters can let you go years between cleanings (on things like an FX6). Of course the drawback is cleaning prefilters at least once a week. Hmm, maybe I'm not saving time in the long run. Well the prefilters still keep them from eating sand. When you clean them out they smell of rich earth.
Bonus for all the filter rinsings going to grow my plants/indoor trees.

If I need chemical removal I'll stick a hormone filter in the tank. To make one you cut the bottom off a 2L bottle, fill it with a big mesh sack full of charcoal then put a layer of floss over that secure the floss however you see fit. Then stuff a Maxijet 1200 in the top and fire it up. If I'm doing this for growth the charcoal has to be disposed of every few months. If it is for a coppering, let it run a week, then remove it and dry everything out and store it for next time.
I haven't had any luck "reactivating" well used charcoal from hormone filters, in my oven. So I can't be a super cheapskate there. It doesn't smell like "fresh baked cookies" when you bake it.
If I want a "polisher" I'd just stuff the 2L full of floss.

Occasionally I will stuff those white nitrate pads in HOBs for emergencies. If you have to run them all the time something is wrong. Buy more plants.

I have some tanks where I could drop a dead moose in there and leave it and my ammonia and nitrites would stay at 0. 2 FX 6s will deal with a fish that eats a pound or two of food per day.

I'm not done with (bad?) filter ideas. My next one will be lots of PVC running back and forth and be filled with all that left over hydroponic media and then I'll try to grow strawberries or wasabi in it. Possibly a real nitrate filter if it works.