How to cycle aquarium with live rock

How to cycle aquarium with live rock

Aquarium Cycle

Aquarium Cycle

Filter Media

A. Filter media and function


I. Mechanical Media

three

There are three main types of mechanical media: 

1.filter pad, 

2. foam block, 

3.and filter floss. 

Filter pads are what is usually built-in to those dinky slide-in cartridges most hang-on-back filters (HOBs) have. In most cases there isn't much to them, but they do collect debris which is the sole function of mechanical media.

Best Mechanical Filter Media Reviewed

Let’s start by going through the best mechanical filter media

1. AquaPapa Sponge Filter

Tough synthetic sponge material that can be cut to fit any filter.

I love that you can spray this out with your hose and reuse it again and again.

It’s a medium coarseness, so you’d still need a finer filter media to catch really small stuff.

Pros:

• Can be cut to fit any filter
• Can be cleaned and reused

Cons:

• Won’t catch really small debris

Aquapapa Bio Sponge Filter Cut-to-Fit Pad for Aquarium Fish Tank Koi Sump Reef 25”x 4.75”x 0.75”

$7.35 

Buy on Amazon

2. Encompass 50 Micron Polishing Pad

This is a super fine mechanical media meant to “polish” your water by catching super fine particles.

It comes in a large 36”x24” (91×61 centimeters) roll. You can cut pieces to fit any size or shape filter. The big roll means that you can cut out lots of pieces making it a much better value than filter cartridges or pre-cut polishing pads.

It would be a great addition if you’re using coarser media, like the AquaPapa sponge.

This will get clogged up easily since it is such a fine media and need to be swapped out for a fresh piece frequently. And it won’t hold up to being reused so you’ll need to add a fresh piece each time.

Pros:

• Catches super fine particles
• More economical than other polishing pads

Cons:

• Can’t be reused
• Clogs up quickly

Encompass All Premium 50 Micron Polishing Filter Pad - Cut to Fit 36x24

$11.99 

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2020-02-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

II. Biological Filter

Biological filtration is the action of bacteria in the tank breaking down dangerous ammonia, converting them to nitrites, and then the nitrites to the less toxic nitrates. ... The process of biological filtration, also known as the nitrogen cycle, involves the movement of harmful wastes through the filter.

4 Best Biological Media

a.

Seachem Matrix BioMedia 1 Liter

b.

EHEIM Substrat Pro Biological Filter Media (Sintered Pearl-Shaped Glass) 1L

c.

Fluval BioMax Bio Rings

d.

Marineland Canister Filter Bio-Balls

Best Biological Filter Media Reviewed

Now let’s go through some of my favorite types of biological media.

1. Fluval Biomax

Fluval Biomax is made up of highly porous ceramic material. It’s covered in all sorts of little nooks and crannies that are perfect for beneficial bacteria. 

The hole through the center of the ceramic noodles also lets water flow through each piece, allowing for more oxygen to reach every square inch of media.

This is a durable media that will last you for years and is small enough to fit in many hang-on-the-back filters. Just put it in a mesh bag and place it inside your filter. 

Pros:

• Lots of surface area for biomedia
• Small enough for most hang-on-the-back filters
• Durable 

Cons:

• None that I can think of!

SALE

Fluval Biomax Bio Rings - 500 grams/17.63 ounces

$17.99 −$11.12 $6.87 

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2020-02-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. EHEIM Substrat Pro

This media is made up of irregular spheres of sintered glass. You can put this into a mesh filter bag to go into your hang on the back or canister filter.

Provides 1800 square feet of surface area for every gallon of volume, plenty of room for a thriving bacterial colony.

Pros:

• Creates lots of surface area for bacteria
• Large volume of media for the price

Cons:

• I can’t think of any!

EHEIM Substrat Pro Biological Filter Media (Sintered Pearl-Shaped Glass) 1L

$24.99 

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2020-02-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

III. Chemical Media

Best Chemical Filter Media Reviewed

Now onto my top picks for the best chemical media.

1. Seachem Purigen

Purigen is made from a unique polymer that traps wastes and other impurities in the water. It is superior to carbon because it absorbs a wider variety of impurities.

It will change colors over time, letting you know when it is exhausted.

Purigen can be “recharged” by treating it with bleach so you can reuse it.

It might seem expensive, but 100 milliliters is enough to filter 100 gallons (378 liters).

My one nitpick is that Purigen can remove wastes before beneficial bacteria can eat them. This can affect the size of your bacterial colonies and make it necessary for you to keep using Purigen to keep up with fish waste.

Pros:

• Excellent removal of organic wastes
• Color lets you know it’s exhausted
• Can be recharged
• Economical 

Cons:

• Removes waste before biofilter can feed on it

Seachem Purigen Ultimate Filtration 100 ml. Bag Aquarium Fish Tank Filter Media

$17.99 

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2020-02-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Poly-Filter By Poly-Bio-Marine

Poly-Filter looks like regular filter floss but it’s actually a potent chemical filter that removes ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, copper, soluble medications, phosphates and tannins.

Yep, all of that.

It also changes color and lets you know it’s exhausted and can be cut to fit any size or shape of filter.

Just like Purigen, Poly-Filter can starve out beneficial bacteria and affect the size of your bacterial colonies.

Also, there is no way to recharge Poly-Filter, so it’s not the most economical media.

Pros:

• Filters out a wide range of substances
• Changes color when exhausted

Cons:

• Can’t be regenerated
• Can be pricey over time

POLYBIO Poly Filter PAD 4 X 8

$9.95 

Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2020-02-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Deciding On Which Filter Media To Pick For Your Aquarium

It’s hard to pin down exactly which filter media is the best, since everyone’s tank is a little different. What works for a 5 gallon nano setup won’t work for someone’s 100 gallon planted tank.

For me though, I would have to say that maintaining a healthy biofilter is absolutely critical. It’s the one thing that you really can’t do without.

I highly recommend maximizing your biological filtration as the number one way to ensure long-term success for your tank.

Preview	Product	Price
	Aquapapa Bio Sponge Filter Cut-to-Fit Pad for Aquarium Fish Tank Koi Sump Reef 25”x 4.75”x...	$7.35	Buy on Amazon
	Encompass All Premium 50 Micron Polishing Filter Pad - Cut to Fit 36x24	$11.99	Buy on Amazon
	Fluval Biomax Bio Rings - 500 grams/17.63 ounces	$17.99$6.87	Buy on Amazon
	EHEIM Substrat Pro Biological Filter Media (Sintered Pearl-Shaped Glass) 1L	$24.99	Buy on Amazon
	Seachem Purigen Ultimate Filtration 100 ml. Bag Aquarium Fish Tank Filter Media	$17.99	Buy on Amazon
	POLYBIO Poly Filter PAD 4 X 8	$9.95

Filter types

I. Internal

1. On the Substrate

2. Mounted on a side with suction cups

3. Corner box filter

4. Sponge model

II.Under Gravel

III.Power

IV.Canister

V. Wet/Dry
A wet/dry filter also referred to as a trickle filter or a bio-tower, is an anaerobic filtration method. ... The clean filtered water is then deposited back into the aquarium either directly, or first into a sump or some type of water containment area and then returned

V. PROTEIN SKIMMER

a. What is protein skimmer?

b. Protein Skimmer

C. Video

VI. AQUARIUM SUMP

a. Do we need sump?

b. SUMP

C. Video

VII. ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENTS

1. AUTO TOP OFF CONTAINER/RESERVOIR

2. CARBON REACTOR

3. MEDIA REACTOR

4. HEATER

5. CHILLER

6. LED LIGHT

a. TOP 10 LED LIGHTS

b. How to select LED light

Current orbit LED

7. Top refugium light

8. BUBBLE TRAP

9. ATO

IceCap Dual Optical ATO Auto Top Off Controller

An Auto-top-off (ATO) system is one of the most important parts for your saltwater aquarium. ... They monitor the water levels of the sump and/or aquarium.

VIII. Aquatic RO System