Foam vs Sintered Glass

[Fishn']

Was curious about other people's opinions, experience, or available facts on the biological capabilities of foam vs sintered glass media such as eheim or biohome.

1) Available surface area comparison.
2) Longevity of the media.
3) Usage in a non traditional method.
4) Has anyone used the polyether foam from swiss tropicals?

Between my 4 tanks, I currently run 3 canisters (2 w/ sintered glass and 1 w/ foam only) and one tank with dual AC's that have two foam blocks in the resovoir and a foam cap over the intake.

 

[mchambers]

Lots of us use Poret foam. Stephan Tanner from Swiss Tropicals spoke at a CCA meeting early this year and we had a group buy from him. It’s great stuff. He’s got articles and info on his website.

http://www.swisstropicals.com/library/swisstropicals-poret-foam/

http://www.swisstropicals.com/library/aquarium-biofiltration/

 

[Fishn']

Lots of us use Poret foam. Stephan Tanner from Swiss Tropicals spoke at a CCA meeting early this year and we had a group buy from him. It’s great stuff. He’s got articles and info on his website.

http://www.swisstropicals.com/library/swisstropicals-poret-foam/

http://www.swisstropicals.com/library/aquarium-biofiltration/

The Poret Foam looks great. I've been watching some of their YouTube videos. Are you using it internally with an air lift?

 

[mchambers]

The Poret Foam looks great. I've been watching some of their YouTube videos. Are you using it internally with an air lift?

Yes, in 8 or so tanks. In a few others, I’m using a powerhead. I’ve also used in canisters.

 

[Fishn']

Yes, in 8 or so tanks. In a few others, I’m using a powerhead. I’ve also used in canisters.

How was your experience with its use in canisters?

 

[mchambers]

It works well. I found 20 PPI best for that purpose.

I’ve even used it in my pond.

 

[chriscoli]

I've got Poret running in all of my 60+ tanks in one form or another. Love it!

Stephan did address the sintered glass products compared to poret. I believe that although they can get more surface area in the glass product, performance is not as good as Poret . The thinking is that the product's pores at so small they get clogged easily by the very microbes/biofilm you are trying to promote.

 

[mchambers]

I’ve gradually come to the view that the debate over the surface area of various types of biomedia is highly overdone. You only need so many beneficial microbes in your filter to achieve adequate biofiltration. It’s an interesting topic, but I don’t think there are important practical consequences.

 

[chriscoli]

I also think there's a lot of bogus data out there. Stephan even pointed some out.

 

[FishEggs]

I've switched over to Poret foam in most of my canister filters. I've found it seems to work better than the ceramic rings or sintered glass. My water became much cleaner looking after changing it. I agree that 20 ppi is the finest you want to go in a canister. The 30 ppi I feel slows the flow down too much.

 

[Fishn']

I've got Poret running in all of my 60+ tanks in one form or another. Love it!

Stephan did address the sintered glass products compared to poret. I believe that although they can get more surface area in the glass product, performance is not as good as Poret . The thinking is that the product's pores at so small they get clogged easily by the very microbes/biofilm you are trying to promote.

THIS is interesting. I'm beginning to come around to that. Too small of pores in interest of claiming a greater surface area can backfire.

 

[Fishn']

This is all great info. Thank you for adding to the discussion.

 

[chriscoli]

THIS is interesting. I'm beginning to come around to that. Too small of pores in interest of claiming a greater surface area can backfire.

Well put.

 

[Wet Sleeves]

So do you guys think 20 ppi would be better than 30 ppi for a Matten?

 

[Fishn']

I've switched over to Poret foam in most of my canister filters. I've found it seems to work better than the ceramic rings or sintered glass. My water became much cleaner looking after changing it. I agree that 20 ppi is the finest you want to go in a canister. The 30 ppi I feel slows the flow down too much.

How did you fit the Poret Foam in your canister filters? Buy a sheet and cut to fit as usually done?

 

[Fishn']

Interesting thread on another forum regarding flow rates and alleged nitrate removal claims of some sintered glass products. The 50 gph rate is way too slow in a standard aquarium filter to create anaerobic conditions. Points back to foam being the "go to" material still.

http://www.crazycichlidkeepers.com/post?id=8007824&goto=nextnewest

 

[dogofwar]

Agreed. Basically anything with surface area can and will culture the critters that are needed for biofiltration: plastic pot scrubbies, army men, bio balls, scintered glass, poret foam, aquaclear foam...whatever.

Some are better suited some applications than others but all "work"

Matt

I’ve gradually come to the view that the debate over the surface area of various types of biomedia is highly overdone. You only need so many beneficial microbes in your filter to achieve adequate biofiltration. It’s an interesting topic, but I don’t think there are important practical consequences.

 

[chriscoli]

So do you guys think 20 ppi would be better than 30 ppi for a Matten?

I have both, the 30 ppi looks nicer IMO and will trap finer particles thereby clearing your water faster but it will also clog faster if you have messy fish.

 

[dogofwar]

I use the most coarse Poret available (10 PPI) in many of my tanks as dividers and with jet lifters. I also use it in sumps.

While higher PPI foam will trap more particles, I want as little crud trapped in the Poret as possible (vs. in other, easier to clean) mechanical filtration.

Matt

I have both, the 30 ppi looks nicer IMO and will trap finer particles thereby clearing your water faster but it will also clog faster if you have messy fish.

 

[mchambers]

So do you guys think 20 ppi would be better than 30 ppi for a Matten?

I prefer 20. As Christine said, although 30 will clean the water faster, it clogs sooner. I find the 20 does a good job of polishing the water, perhaps because the bigger bits of crud get trapped and then trap the smaller bits.

Having said this, I recently used a 30 PPI sheet in my pond to set up something like a mattenfilter (long story) because I found an inexpensive sheet of foam in the right dimensions and it seems to be working just fine. So I think 30 would be fine, but 20 would be a little better.