Help in filter media

[sam_always]

hi,

i got a IOS at my tank. I am wondering what filter media to put, bio ball? ring? phosguard? i am lost at those filter media? Any suggestion?

[Siput]

Depends on your proposed set up. If FOWLR, then bio-balls, creamic rings, etc will help u cope with a higher bio-load factor. If you plan on corals, not advisable to have physical bio-media as these tend to become nitrate factories over time...

[trader_best]

yea, agree with Siput....best to have rowaphos to control algae growth, a must have!!!

[sam_always]

I will keep FOWLR first and eventually will keep coral as well. Then what media should i use?

[hammy]

IMO , i think biohome (the red one) and ROWAphos are good ...

it is good to use rowaphos when setting up a new tank to prevent PO4 from building up , then u will not have the nuisance algae , u may not find algae now as the light is not on

then for biohome (the red one ) , look good haha, but i think it is economical as i think no need to change ... spend 1 time good one can liao

what do other reefer think??

[Siput]

I will keep FOWLR first and eventually will keep coral as well. Then what media should i use?

Then frankly, if intention is corals for much later, no need to invest so much for now...any filter media will do the job for the time being as fish are generally more tolerant than corals. Try to have lot's of live rock and who knows, maybe the system will stabilise through NNR (natural nitrate reduction?) before you start on your corals, after which u can remove teh bio-media.

Can even have a deep sand bed (DSB) with/without plenum if u want, but there are arguments both for and against this.

Check out the new to marine thread/do a search and u will find most of this info somewhere in the site - I know I did...

[szesteve]

What if my filter is using lotsa ceramic rings but i only introduce 1 coral at a time per month or per 2 months?

Will this create a nitrate factory?

[Siput]

Guess depends on your bioload in terms of fishes. essentially biomedia like ceramic rings (even coarse sand) traps detritus which then rots over time to form ammonia -> nititries -> nitrates. Unless u clean it regularly, whichj is impractical.

However if u are already running the biomedia for sometime, don't take it all out at once, as there may not be enuff processing capability in your LR/sand bed, uggest u remove about 10-20% per week untill all gone...

[sam_always]

Unfortunately I dont have space for DSB. denitrator is quite ex also. Hope that a good skimmer and alot LR could help to maintain the nitrate level.

[szesteve]

Unfortunately I dont have space for DSB. denitrator is quite ex also. Hope that a good skimmer and alot LR could help to maintain the nitrate level.

I guess u can also try not overstocking so fast....Slowly introduce one at a time. That's what i plan to do...

I'm also planning to rinse the Ceramic rings once every 2 months...

[Golden Tooth]

Unfortunately I dont have space for DSB. denitrator is quite ex also. Hope that a good skimmer and alot LR could help to maintain the nitrate level.

Sure u can. Provided with proper water circulation n regular water change.

[sam_always]

which brand of active carbon is value for money?