 |
05-23-2006, 12:26 AM
|
#1
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ashland KY
Posts: 1,918
|
bio balls or cermic rings?
which do you think is better the plastic bio balls or ceramic rings, and why?
__________________
I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 12:29 AM
|
#2
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 17,107
|
I personally think the ceramic rings are better as they are porous and the bacteria sticks in the holes more than with bio balls. I use both but when I rinse the bio balls they come much cleaner than the rings proving to me that they bacteria doesn't stick as well to the plastic.
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 08:02 AM
|
#3
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,472
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Zagz
I personally think the ceramic rings are better as they are porous and the bacteria sticks in the holes more than with bio balls. I use both but when I rinse the bio balls they come much cleaner than the rings proving to me that they bacteria doesn't stick as well to the plastic.
|
exactly right.
ceramic rings have the potential to hold more bacteria.
However, according to the instructions, ceramic rings are supposed to be changed every 3-5 months.
Whereas bioballs NEVER need changing.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 08:43 AM
|
#4
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Illinois
Posts: 11,964
|
I use ceramic rings. I guess maybe we need to start changing all of ours out because we've had them in the canisters for a good 10 months now. 
__________________
Vote for Aquarium Advice
29 Gallon Lake Malawi Fry
55 Gallon Community
150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 11:25 AM
|
#5
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 13,230
|
I use both and have never changed them--it's been years for some of the ceramic media.
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 11:32 AM
|
#6
|
|
Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 211
|
yeah everything i have ever seen said u never have to change the rings or bio stars..
__________________
..::55g Project::..
55g :: Planted :: Rena Filstar XP3 :: Hydor ETH 300w
..::Tank Inhabitants::..
6 Tiger Barbs
1 Powder Blue Gourami
1 Dwarf Flame Gourami
1 African Clawed Frog
2 Bristlenose Plecos
1 Rainbow Shark
1 Boesemani Rainbow
?? Malaysian Trumpet Snails
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 11:44 AM
|
#7
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Nebraska, USA
Posts: 6,703
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Fishyfanatic
I use ceramic rings. I guess maybe we need to start changing all of ours out because we've had them in the canisters for a good 10 months now. |
Heh, I've been using the same ceramic rings for 2.5 years now. No issues. But yes, mine did come with instructions to replace them every 6-12 months.
__________________
Former advisor and planted tank geek...life's moved on though.
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 11:49 AM
|
#8
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Posts: 8,435
|
Another vote for ceramic rings. And they never need changing. Just an occasional rinse in tank water if they start looking a little plugged up.
__________________
55G Filstar XP3 - 16" Fire Eel
75G Medium Planted - Filstar XP3 Low Light - Established Feb 2006
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 11:58 AM
|
#9
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Illinois
Posts: 11,964
|
Possibly another ploy by manufacturers to get more sales. Reminds me of the "replace filter cartridges every 3 to 4 weeks" scam.
__________________
Vote for Aquarium Advice
29 Gallon Lake Malawi Fry
55 Gallon Community
150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 03:29 PM
|
#10
|
|
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 787
|
I have two bags of biostars and part of a bag of ceramic rings. I haven't changed them yet. Don't really see the need to. I certainly don't want to re-cycle my tank.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 08:13 PM
|
#11
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 17,107
|
I have never even considered changing my ceramic rings. Just rinse them as necessary. Unless they break down I don't worry about it and so far no sign of breaking down.
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 08:21 PM
|
#12
|
|
Aquarium Advice Freak
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: where the wild things are (NC)
Posts: 396
|
im going to be using bio stars and ceramic rings in my xp3
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 08:28 PM
|
#13
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ashland KY
Posts: 1,918
|
cool Looks like i'm going with the ceramic rings, I found a bag of them for like 6 bucks that ahs hundreds of 3/8" X 3/8" ceramic cylinders in a mesh bag
__________________
I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol
|
|
|
|
|
05-23-2006, 08:35 PM
|
#14
|
|
Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Posts: 8,435
|
Cool, that will do you good.... 
__________________
55G Filstar XP3 - 16" Fire Eel
75G Medium Planted - Filstar XP3 Low Light - Established Feb 2006
|
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Vendor Spotlight (Deals & More) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Photo Contest Winners |
|
|
» Saltwater Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Freshwater Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Other Discussions & Classifieds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-----------
