What sort of filter media is this?

krytan

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Sep 2, 2007
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Norwich, England
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Wayne
I cleaned my eheim filter this weekend and was thinking that maybe i should change some of the media. One of the baskets has these ball type things in and i have no idea what they are, so if someone can tell me what they are, what they do and how oftern they need changing? I already have one basket full of bio rings but would it be better to change the ball things for more bio rings?
Thanks in advance.

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Little balls or anything else with a large surface but shapes that are unlikely to trap things in it are bio media. They are just large surfaces for the bacteria to grow on. They work best when water can just flow past them in an unrestricted fashion so most are not made to filter out other things like particulate. You change them only if they start to break down. Some of the materials biofilter media are made from are not as stable as others so if they start to fall apart its time to change them. Until that happens, just rinse off any dirt buildup using tank water but do not scrub them.
 
Coco Puffs ... ;)

I agree they will last quite a while - just rinse them off. I usually drop the entire carton thing by the handle into a bucket of tank water and shake it around and stir the balls.
 
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