Filter Media for HOB/Internal filters

So I've been looking into getting biological media for use in my HOB/internal filters, but I'm not sure which type to choose. There are the bio balls, which are plastic and look like they wouldn't work as great. Then there is the ceramic rings, and finally porous rocks. Which is the better one to choose from for my needs? There are so many options out there I am just overwhelmed. lol

I think the porous ceramic rings have more surface area for bacteria to grow on, that's what I use in my aquaclear filters.

I also use ceramic rings in my HOB filters. I'll give away a little secret and say that this is where I get mine.

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I vote ceramic rings.

Okay so what about using porous rocks such as lava rock?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think lava rock can change your water chemistry and you can't really buy really small bits the smallest I've seen it is about 1" for landscaping.

 

fishNAbowl wrote:I vote ceramic rings.

   My all my filters have ceramic rings or balls.

The ceramic rings are nice but can get pricy. I use the plastic bath loffas from the doller store. Work both as a corse filter and biological surface also.

HOB layers from top to bottom AC70

Ceramic rings
Crushed coral
Course sponge
Fine sponge
Bio sponge (specialized high surface sponge)
Fine sponge

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fishNAbowl wrote:HOB layers from top to bottom AC70

Ceramic rings
Crushed coral
Course sponge
Fine sponge
Bio sponge (specialized high surface sponge)
Fine sponge

Fancy! I like. I do a combination of rings and crushed coral in a few of mine (I have very few HOBs left). I believe crushed coral just has the effect of raising hardness... with the side effect of raising alkalinity and stabilizing PH. Just be careful using it on fish that require low hardness.

MRTom wrote:

fishNAbowl wrote:HOB layers from top to bottom AC70

Ceramic rings
Crushed coral
Course sponge
Fine sponge
Bio sponge (specialized high surface sponge)
Fine sponge

Fancy! I like. I do a combination of rings and crushed coral in a few of mine (I have very few HOBs left). I believe crushed coral just has the effect of raising hardness... with the side effect of raising alkalinity and stabilizing PH. Just be careful using it on fish that require low hardness.

I noticed you picking up those small canisters. You must like them a LOT! I do like my small canister too. And I have crushed coral in that canister. Matter of fact there is crushed coral in all my tanks to stabilize PH to just under 7.0. My planted tanks have a tendency to "crash" . PH will drop under any PH checking scale. It take time and patients but all my tanks maintain 6.8 no matter how long I go without changing water....

I believe Lava rocks are inert

I use Seachem Matrix as my biomedia.  I bag it up and layer it in just like fishNAbowl does.  My layers are a little different:

from bottom to top:
coarse sponge (the one that comes with the unit)
biomedia in bags
fine sponge on top (to act as polishing) - this can cause fine bubbles if not set in correctly.  I find that allowing it to overhang the canister a tad helps.