Filter Media, Plastic, Ceramic, Matrix and other

I washed the stones this evening when i got home, most of the is about 2-3cm bit, a bit too small? will also do the acid test tomorrow on them and sort out, if it fails ill just go to the nuserey and buy a bag...

 

Oupoot, 2-3 cm in size is fine. Please follow Marc's advice and do the acid test before you proceed.

And then you must give that horstrich a rest, die ou maak my mal.....

Regards,

Dirk

 

Will keep you updated after the acid test tomorrow, just a question as im not sure about this, i got these stones at quarry nex to where i work, and this used to dump for old mine sand, will any of this effect the rocks or have anything else i should keep an eye or, or would i maybe just be lucky and get a diamond?

 

You must stay miles away from old mine dumps as they may contain all sorts of nasty substances including cyanide from gold extraction.

No diamonds there, only gold....

 

ah oky... will have to be careful then with these stones i got, also i put my Horsstrich back into the stable, but i brought my cat along for some company

 

Ag no man....

looks like you collect other things besides fishes...

 

Just a iguana and a few tarantulas, but should probably start looking for one of those feerful creature everybody just calls the "MRS" lol, but i will let you guys know about the gravel tomorrow morning, waiting for it to rain so the gravel can get washed out aswell

 

Oky, anither question, what about plants in a comparment in the sump, or even algea for filtration?

 

Yes, can work if you use fast growing plants, google algae scrubber for some info on using algae as nutrient export. I used a sump with planted section with my bare bottom tanks and I never got a nitrate reading of more than 5, with heavy feeding and even when missing a water change or three, so it seemed to work well.

 

Thats what in thinking of aswelll, but im guessing its the same thing as having plants in the main tank at the end of the day....

 

http://pbr278.photobucket.com/albums/kk85/singularity96/Lights004-2.jpg?t=1333113048

This is what my sumps looked like, that middle section was the planted section, did in those plastic flower pot things so that I could take the plants for pruning/maintenance

 

So its basically mechanical filter followed by plants then biological filtration, but weather plants are in the tank or sump, i think it doesn't really make a difference, also what about a exposing the sump to sunlight to promote algea growth?

 

Pm me if you want some Indian Water Fern (Ceratopteris thalictroides) for the sump. Can be grown planted or drifting on top.

I think its perfect for a sump. Good nitrate spunge and grows way to fast for a good scaping plant. And doesn't need strong light or CO2.

 

lol and its not only good for filtering, but you can eat it as well i see.... but i will let you know as im still deciding if i want to break up my sump and rebuild it again, i did it about 2 week ago...

 

also @Dirk, Prof, what about bricks (Suur Steen) for filter media?

 

Hello what a great read. Thanks
I have a question. Can you reuse ceramic and matrix after sometime?. If say you have saved it from a year ago (in a bucket or unused filter) and now want to use it again. Can one just spray it out with a garden hose in a bucket. Perhaps boil it? Does it have expiry date?

 

yep you can just rinse them