Is there such a thing as too much ceramic media?

19Mateo83 · Apr 6, 2023

I am putting together my 14 gal scratch built all in one tank. I built in a sizable area to put my ceramic bio media. Would it hurt anything if a added an extra bag of ceramic media? Would it help with stability of the system by having more available surface area? I plan on also having about 10-15 lbs of live rock in it along with a 1.5-2 inch deep sand bed. I know the rock and sand alone will support the system.

Not woodyarmadillo · Apr 6, 2023

Couldn’t see it hurting. Seems unnecessary if you are putting in that much rock and sand but if you have the extra space why not?

bushdoc · Apr 7, 2023

Absolutely, first it can be a detritus trap, second it can also strip your tank of Nitrates, third it can slow water flow in your HOB filter, AIO compartment or sump.

19Mateo83 · Apr 7, 2023

The reason I ask is because I have an extra bag laying around.

bushdoc · Apr 7, 2023

It is difficult to establish right amount from the very beginning, you can add more initially and then after few weeks re-evaluate, based on nutrients level and bioload of your tank.

19Mateo83 · Apr 7, 2023

bushdoc said:
It is difficult to establish right amount from the very beginning, you can add more initially and then after few weeks re-evaluate, based on nutrients level and bioload of your tank.

I like this plan. I just got back into the hobby after a 12 year hiatus. Maybe I am a little old school in my thinking on this, but wasn’t it a common practice to keep extra live rock in the sump to help with stability and keeping nutrients at lower levels.?