Ceramic Rings or Bio Balls

[FishDad]

I would love to here opinions on this.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Which has more surface area? I'm thinking some of those fancy balls would have more SA than rings.

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

I've always used ceramic rings in the past, they give bacteria an easy area to start to grow, and the ceramic is porous allowing better colony growth, they are also easier to clean of particles, but I've had friends who swear by the balls.

 

[FishDad]

but I've had friends who swear by the balls.

I just had to quote that. I always tell my wife I thought I would have reached a certain maturity level by now but, say la vie. Sorry Rot, I tend to agree with you on the ceramic rings.

We were all thinking it, c'mon.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Yes.... unfortunately and not surprising, I was.

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

Lol, no problem, I would probably have done the same thing had I encountered such a post, I tell my wife the same.

 

[FishDad]

This was somewhat discussed in my other thread but wouldn't using said balls eliminate the issue of getting clogged over time, thus eliminating the need to replace them. It seems you could just rinse them from time to time in tank water. Am I thinking about that correctly?

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

The reason I've not used Bio Balls ... full phrase this time ... is because they are plastic, while bacteria can bond to it, in my mind the ceramic provides a better surface and more nooks and crannies to cling to. Water moving over plastic vs over ceramic, the plastic runs off, the ceramic absorbs some of it, and until the filters become laden with debris and the flow slows down, water is going to be quickly racing through the filter.

I think either medium will have issues with being clogged, from large debris.

However also because they are plastic rinsing them would probably be easier.

I usually just use a plastic colander, fill the sink with some hot water, and dip and agitate them to remove large particles, then let them air dry, if a few are overly dirty I take a tooth brush or pipe cleaner to them.

 

[FishDad]

Gotcha, thanks Rot.