Bio media question???

[Cookie_discus]

I have some bio rings that had been used for a saltwater tank for about 3 months before then I took it out and rinse it with freshwater clearly and soak it with freshwater in a bucket for a week. Should I reuse it for my discus tank that I planning to setup very soon? Also did you guys have experience with using BBQ nature lava rocks for bio media???

[atlantadiscus]

Sure,reuse the rings,As long as they are clean,they are functional.

Lava rock was quite popular as a bio media years ago before the specialists figured out a way to charge us 10x for a engineered media.As long as it is not been treated with any chemical,it is fine to use.Some will say it will change your PH,but not sure that is anything but a long drawn out myth.Take a bucket of aquarium water,measure the PH,drop the rocks in,measure again in a day or so,you will know for sure.

[Ryan925]

Sure,reuse the rings,As long as they are clean,they are functional.

Lava rock was quite popular as a bio media years ago before the specialists figured out a way to charge us 10x for a engineered media.As long as it is not been treated with any chemical,it is fine to use.Some will say it will change your PH,but not sure that is anything but a long drawn out myth.Take a bucket of aquarium water,measure the PH,drop the rocks in,measure again in a day or so,you will know for sure.

Atl again with the sense.... Lol seems logical to me

[Cookie_discus]

So they are not cheap now? lol

[Ryan925]

So they are not cheap now? lol

What he means is things like matrix that we pay good dollar for is pumice stone. With that said I still buy matrix because it's not all that expensive and it is good quality

Where people just used lava rock before now pay for synthetic products that serve the same purpose.

[pitdogg2]

IMO Lava rock breaks down too easily. When I would roll it around my screen colander there would be all kinds of fines after in the bottom of my bucket. You don't get that with other media.

[cuprajake]

you can buy pumice off ebay, alot cheaper than matrix haha

[Cookie_discus]

To me matrix is just like purigen the only different is purigen need to be replace but matrix dont. I had use purigen before and it works great but I never use matrix.

[Ryan925]

I use matrix and eheim substrat pro in my canister. I am going to bag that media and put it into my sump when finishes along with other things

[Cookie_discus]

Is it help with lower nitrate? how big is ur tank and how many fish u have in there?

[Ryan925]

Is it help with lower nitrate? how big is ur tank and how many fish u have in there?

Not sure about helping lowering nitrate. I have a 75G with 7 discus 6 corys and 5 tetras. I do about 80% wc every other day. Nitrates are usually 5

I'm in the process though of building a sump out of a 40 breeder

[pitdogg2]

To me matrix is just like purigen the only different is purigen need to be replace but matrix dont. I had use purigen before and it works great but I never use matrix.

That statement is grossly inaccurate. You have got to be confusing "matrix" Carbon with the bio media Matrix.

[pitdogg2]

Is it help with lower nitrate? how big is ur tank and how many fish u have in there?

It will not do that unless it is used in an "Anaerobic" environment. Which can be done outside the aquarium and pumping less then 30gal.per hour or less even through it.

[Ryan925]

That statement is grossly inaccurate. You have got to be confusing "matrix" Carbon with the bio media Matrix.

Good call

[Cookie_discus]

I am talking about the matrix bio media not the matrix carbon.