Setting up an aquaclear 500

[7Enigma]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Ceramic is alright, but no way can it compare to the surface area of a sponge.

I beg to differ.

[Sidi]

Ceramic has amazing surface area, but on the microscopic level. It's very poor at trapping particulates, but has lots of space for bacteria to grow. So if it starts getting clogged up you'll block the channels. Sponge has pretty decent surface area, so it's good for bacteria, but has great channels for trapping particulates.

Personally, on most of my filters, I use sponge to get the big particulates, then filter floss to get all the little stuff, then ceramic for biological filtration.

[7Enigma]

Originally Posted by Sidi

Ceramic has amazing surface area, but on the microscopic level. It's very poor at trapping particulates, but has lots of space for bacteria to grow. So if it starts getting clogged up you'll block the channels. Sponge has pretty decent surface area, so it's good for bacteria, but has great channels for trapping particulates.

Ceramic is poor at trapping particulates because it is not meant as mechanical filtration. It's sole job is to provide a surface for the millions of bacteria that convert ammonia and nitrIte to the less toxic nitrAte. They are meant for 2 completely different things.

I just didn't want people to believe toddnbecka's comment that ceramic media has less surface area then a sponge, which is clearly incorrect.