General Care Discussion :: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

Taking care of your turtle's overall health.

Post a reply

Post Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:30 am   Bio-Balls good for turtles?

Hey guys,

I'm fixing to buy some filter-media today for my new SunSun canister. I've looked over some videos where people are using it for fish and several people include a layer of bio-balls. I don't use those in my current canister (no room), but I can pick some up if they're useful. Would anybody recommend them for turtles though?

I'm also wondering if using more media is better than using a measured amount... i.e; I know the rule for measuring the amount of carbon, but would it be better to just use as much as I can fit? The SunSun is HUGE and has ample room.

Thanks,

-MVB
MVB
 
Posts: 158
Joined: May 1, 2013
Gender: Male
Top

Post Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 4:19 pm   Re: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

I'd swap the bioballs out for ceramic media instead. Ceramic media has more surface area for good bacteria colonization than bio balls do. If you search there is a sticky thread about the recommended media for filters.
User avatar
devilduck
 
Posts: 957
Joined: May 11, 2012
Location: Chicago, IL.
Gender: Male
Top

Post Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 5:05 pm   Re: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

OK, great, thanks. I just have about four or five layers to fill up and I'm not sure what to double up on. You think two layers of Ceramic media is better than a layer of ceramic and a layer of bio balls?
MVB
 
Posts: 158
Joined: May 1, 2013
Gender: Male
Top

Post Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:16 pm   Re: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

MVB wrote:OK, great, thanks. I just have about four or five layers to fill up and I'm not sure what to double up on. You think two layers of Ceramic media is better than a layer of ceramic and a layer of bio balls?


Absolutely. Both are for growing biomedia, but bio balls are a plastic. Bacteria can nay grow in the surface. Ceramic media allows bacteria to grow on the surface and inside. It has a huge "surface area" for bacterial growth compared to bio balls.
Tobi a RES born in 2012
1 dog, 1 teenager, 3 aquariums filled with fish, snails, shrimp and a bit of algae
User avatar
ljapa
 
Posts: 925
Joined: Jul 21, 2012
Location: Near Chicago in IN
Gender: Male
Top

Post Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:09 pm   Re: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

Right now I have spongy layers in the spare filter tray because I ran out of ceramic media, but thanks for the advice. I'll get some more ceramics in there the next time I have the time to hit up Petco.
MVB
 
Posts: 158
Joined: May 1, 2013
Gender: Male
Top

Post Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:08 pm   Re: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

Search ebay, there is a seller there with super cheap ceramic media that even comes in their own mesh bags.
User avatar
devilduck
 
Posts: 957
Joined: May 11, 2012
Location: Chicago, IL.
Gender: Male
Top

Post Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:48 pm   Re: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

I still don't know whether I should regulate the amount. When it comes to all of this stuff, is it best to fit as much media in as possible?
MVB
 
Posts: 158
Joined: May 1, 2013
Gender: Male
Top

Post Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:41 pm   Re: Bio-Balls good for turtles?

Yes, more bio media is better.
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31581
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male
Top
Post a reply

Return to General Care Discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 113 guests

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group