Should always be using some form of media wether it’s bio-rings, lava rock, k1 media or pot-scrubbers😅 allows beneficial bacteria to grow and battle ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, activated carbon will also help keep crystal clear water, so in stages of filtration coarse sponge-medium/fine sponge-media of choice-netbag of activated carbon then right at the exit of the filter I use filter cotton to polish the water, hope this helps I’m not a perfect fish keeper but my fish are breeding so they must be happy🤷🏻♂️
Most people use pot scrubbers as a cheap replacement for bio balls in wet/dry filters. You can use them in canisters of course, but it's less surface area than the same volume of rock/ceramic/etc.
@@2869may That's when the bio film builds up too thick on the media. That can take a while in higher flow filters like a canister, but that's why it's good to rinse bio media occasionally. Honestly, I stopped worrying about total surface area a long time ago (I only mentioned it in the first post to explain why pot scrubbers are usually used in wet/drys). There is enough surface area on the tank alone to maintain enough bacteria so long as you keep the water moving. Everything else is for peace of mind and water polishing in my opinion.
@@hardybryan You're absolutely right... But there are many who don't rinse there media very often or at all... lol I just did mine, and I'm using scrubbers in a wet/dry.
I actually tried something kinda genius. I add for polishing a normal piece of sewing cloth, it's actually very effective by removing presicion micro mattar and organisms from the water, it works fantastically amazing. And I call it the *dripper* because it's just a dripper water cannot easily pass through the sponges and clothes and micro pore pore sized sponges so it's apolishing crystalizing clearing filter since I have two filters added in there.
I used them in my fx6 for my overstocked AC tank. No issues with my ammonia or nitrate levels. I switched to Bio-fx and nothing changed. So can't argue if they were better or worse.
Yes brother!!!! Have a 50gal tote sump filled with them in the 800 gal indoor pond. That and polyfil are wonders together. I call it my dollar tree destroyer 🤣🤣🤣
Pot scrubbers seems to be nice place to grow beneficial bacteria but there is not much difference from filter floss Filter floss also serve the roll of cleaning the actual water from particles not only from toxins … There is also a big reason for using bio-balls as biological filter, first and foremost the surface area … Bio-Balls have big surface area therefore they can have more BB and make the tank healthier in less space …
@@dimitrijekrstic7567 End of your knowledg🤣 I’m using bio balls for 6 years already, The best filter media there is… I’m washing them with the aquarium water whenever I clean my canister filter (every 2 months) No problem at all, “End of discussion”
I could definitely see why they would hold lots of beneficial bacteria. However, I would be concerned over them breaking down and releasing chemicals over a period of time
@@CichlidCharmer it releases chemicals and microplastics, tiny little nanoparticles that we can't see w naked eye that nonetheless build up in our systems. Certain microplastics can allegedly mess with the endocrine system of humans- not sure about fish. If you change these every 6-9mos it should be ok
@@CichlidCharmerYou might want to read up on micro plastics. Sorry about ruining your day with this suggestion 😢 Plastics don't break down all the way, but they do partially break down in very tiny plastic pieces and end up everywhere including in us
After a few viewer comments about micro plastics, I would probably steer clear of these. I would go with coarse, medium and fine sponges. Then whichever bio media you go with. Lava rock is really inexpensive. Just need to rinse it very well.
I have only heard that they work. Yes, it’s for beneficial bacteria. I read that they can hold more than things like ceramic rings. We will see if I notice any benefits at all.
I don’t really have monster fish. My biggest guy is 12”. I would love to have a breeding pair of black nasties, but they would have to be alone and I wouldn’t want them in a tank smaller than my 240. The 240 could even be too small.
I actually use these to scrub the aquariums' decor, etc. Don't have that type filter shown but would never use these for long term in my fishtank unless recommended on the products' directions. Yes, pretty cool colors but are they safe for chemical / bio changes in your tank ?!
Here’s the full video which explains everything: Could These KILL YOUR FISH? | Pot Scrubbers as Bio Media ua-cam.com/video/SjwB9UrnhUk/v-deo.html Thanks for asking!
I used a heap of pot scrubbers crammed into an fx5 on a tiger Oscar tank for 8 years and it was fantastic never had an issue and beyond cheap direct from China. The fx5 failed after 8 years, the pot scrubbers did not.
I used scrubber, looks like sponge but hard it gives crystal clear water but then discovered that they are built with some material to avoid bacterial grow, in kitchen use this technology is useful but in aquarium filter it's disaster that your media can't group beneficial bacteria
I think you’ll find too many opinions out there going either way on that one. KaveMan Aquatics did an experiment on matrix, but he’s an ambassador for seachem
@@spectrum7067 I have some matrix in one of my Fx6s. I haven’t noticed a drop in nitrates and it’s been several months. Like 6 or so. Have you noticed? Thanks for the suggestion!
@@2869may it’s hard to know for sure but that sounds possible. I need to see what Prime Time Aquatics has to say about all this. He has a degree in microbiology 😀
yeah leaking artificial coloring and microscopic particle of plastic as they break down like in every body of water from oceans to rivers and lakes, that way aquarium fishes feels realy like they're at home.
@@CichlidCharmer When I think about it, we know anything we put in water is going to desintegrate slowly over time, from metal to plastic or minerals and wood, we can exclude metal things because rust and stuff is a big NO, plastic we don't realy know how fast or slow it goes and we don't know the real composition. We're more or less left with the last one Minerals, anything clay based or anything porous is usualy a safe bet because water already contain minerals. With water changes for me it's the safest bet. I personaly use exclusively lava rocks pebles, it's neutral for PH, very porous for bacerias and natural. Ceramic noodles are also a good choice for the same reasons. That said I know aquarist using those plastic balls and they change them completly every two years or so to be safe. they're designed as aquarium filtration media and contain no coloring, if you realy want to go plastic might work for you.
@@nthompson937 it’s main benefit is that it’s so cheap. Works as well or better than ceramic rings. I’ve read that plastic pot scrubbers are the one of the best types of bio media, so I am switching to those.
Not too familiar with goldfish. Many African cichlid keepers would have at least twice as many fish as I have in a 240. And some would prefer even more than that.
I understand wanting to keep everything clean, but the muck that eventually appears on them adds to the surface area, increasing the ability to house more beneficial bacteria. I won’t be cleaning mine until the flow slows down, and then only gently cleansing them
🤔 pot scrubbers are only useful is used in bulk and paired with a coarse, medium and the then a fine foam sponges. In such low quantity and loose formation they serve no purpose and allow too much bypass. Also bio-ring are generally garbage and only good in a settling shambles and only is used in a large quantity.
I did use them a few times, they worked out greater than I expected, now with the whole microplastic awareness and understanding, I would not consider using them, not even for cleaning pots and pans, but yup, they work great in a filter
I have been researching that, and I have been unable to find any articles that tell me how long it takes for micro plastics to appear. I mean is it weeks? Years? Decades? Centuries? I might be taking mine out and doing another video because of the uncertainty. Thanks for commenting!
It does work Here’s the thing media like ceramic rings, matrix and sintered glass are no good, the pores are just too small, now fine foam sponges are amazing at bio filtration because of the bigger pore size water is better able to flow through the media and bacteria
I’ve actually never had a problem with ceramic rings and matrix, but i think my water might be a tad clearer with these sponges. It could be my imagination though.
@@CichlidCharmer bacteria don’t like plastic and pot scrubbers have a lot less surface area compared to other media of your not using bottle bacteria it can take upto 6 months to cycle plastics media
@Ian Vargas you need surface area for nitrifying bacteria to grow on. More area =more bacteria which = more biological filtration. Think of it as if you were to peel the bio rings and lay it flat the area covered would be quite a bit less than the surface of the scrubbers thousands of strands. If the biorings are porous like a sponge then the difference is less.
@Kyle Busc is hard to believe, huh?? I know, but I did my research, and I was happily surprised. Now I run 2 oase canister filter with pot scrubbers and some biohome as I didn't want to throw them because they were expensive. But yeah, all my biological filtration ( plus biohome) is pot scrubbers. Research it!
@@SirTenoch they do work don't get me wrong, but they were designed to scrub pots. Ceramic rings were specially designed to have the most possible surface area for an object of that size. It's just objectively wrong to say that pot scrubbers are more efficient. They are more cost efficient but that's totally different.
I use them in my HOBs and they do a good job at keeping the water clear while maintaining a great amount of bacteria, no complaints here!
Been using them for years. Just purchased 2 packs today 🙌👌
Since I started using pot scrubbers my fishes have been happy and not dying…
🤣🤣well whatever you were doing before it wasn’t the pot scrubbers that changed that🤣🤣💀
@@Garzajonathan1 before that all i had was water changes and a simple polyester cotton filter after adding pot scrubbers to it everything changed!
Should always be using some form of media wether it’s bio-rings, lava rock, k1 media or pot-scrubbers😅 allows beneficial bacteria to grow and battle ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, activated carbon will also help keep crystal clear water, so in stages of filtration coarse sponge-medium/fine sponge-media of choice-netbag of activated carbon then right at the exit of the filter I use filter cotton to polish the water, hope this helps I’m not a perfect fish keeper but my fish are breeding so they must be happy🤷🏻♂️
your fish were dying cause of your filter?!
@@anaalford5357 actually no, but once i added these things to my filter the death rate reduced i lost 1 fish after 1 year, he was getting old…
I love sticking weird things in my tank 😂😂
Most people use pot scrubbers as a cheap replacement for bio balls in wet/dry filters. You can use them in canisters of course, but it's less surface area than the same volume of rock/ceramic/etc.
Many filter medias porosity is so fine it clogs up and only the outside surface is functioning... so I've heard
@@2869may That's when the bio film builds up too thick on the media. That can take a while in higher flow filters like a canister, but that's why it's good to rinse bio media occasionally. Honestly, I stopped worrying about total surface area a long time ago (I only mentioned it in the first post to explain why pot scrubbers are usually used in wet/drys). There is enough surface area on the tank alone to maintain enough bacteria so long as you keep the water moving. Everything else is for peace of mind and water polishing in my opinion.
@@hardybryan You're absolutely right... But there are many who don't rinse there media very often or at all... lol
I just did mine, and I'm using scrubbers in a wet/dry.
Your 100% wrong. There's more surface area on the pot scrubbers then rock
Absolutely wrong. PPS are far superior to ALL types of ceramic media. Do your homework. Happy fishkeeping!
That’s crazy I’ve been using this this is the first time I’m hearing about it on the Internet sure does work good
Glad it works, but now I am hearing about micro plastics, and not sure if I should be using them
@@CichlidCharmerwhy would you care? Are you eating your fish? I sure am not, and the effects are miniscule
@@dimitrijekrstic7567 I’ve since researched and done a few videos on it if you like to know how much I care 🤔
Been using pot scrubbers over a decade. Love them
Those poor fish and all that plastic! JK 😜 I still love mine so far!
Love the facial expressions. 😂
😁
Mate your fish omfggg that's made my morning now want to buy another tank
Then you know just what to do! 🤣
I use these. Seem to be effective
I actually tried something kinda genius. I add for polishing a normal piece of sewing cloth, it's actually very effective by removing presicion micro mattar and organisms from the water, it works fantastically amazing. And I call it the *dripper* because it's just a dripper water cannot easily pass through the sponges and clothes and micro pore pore sized sponges so it's apolishing crystalizing clearing filter since I have two filters added in there.
Skittles……🌺🌺🌺🌺🌟🌟🌟
I used them in my fx6 for my overstocked AC tank. No issues with my ammonia or nitrate levels. I switched to Bio-fx and nothing changed. So can't argue if they were better or worse.
I love them
I’ve always used those they work great 😊
Good to know -- thanks!
The plastic plants that come with aquarium kits work well also
Yes brother!!!! Have a 50gal tote sump filled with them in the 800 gal indoor pond. That and polyfil are wonders together. I call it my dollar tree destroyer 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the response, and I love the name “dollar tree destroyer!”
Pot scrubbers seems to be nice place to grow beneficial bacteria but there is not much difference from filter floss
Filter floss also serve the roll of cleaning the actual water from particles not only from toxins …
There is also a big reason for using bio-balls as biological filter, first and foremost the surface area … Bio-Balls have big surface area therefore they can have more BB and make the tank healthier in less space …
Nope. No flow through bio ball. End of discussion
@@dimitrijekrstic7567 End of your knowledg🤣
I’m using bio balls for 6 years already, The best filter media there is…
I’m washing them with the aquarium water whenever I clean my canister filter (every 2 months)
No problem at all, “End of discussion”
Bio balls have horrible surface area. Seachem matrix or biohome.
I could definitely see why they would hold lots of beneficial bacteria. However, I would be concerned over them breaking down and releasing chemicals over a period of time
I haven’t know plastic to break down. Isn’t that why plastic is considered poor for the environment, because it doesn’t break down?
@@CichlidCharmer it releases chemicals and microplastics, tiny little nanoparticles that we can't see w naked eye that nonetheless build up in our systems. Certain microplastics can allegedly mess with the endocrine system of humans- not sure about fish. If you change these every 6-9mos it should be ok
@@KatieDeGo thanks for the info! I won’t be changing out the bio media every 6 mos, so I will have to look into this further
@@CichlidCharmerYou might want to read up on micro plastics.
Sorry about ruining your day with this suggestion 😢
Plastics don't break down all the way, but they do partially break down in very tiny plastic pieces and end up everywhere including in us
@@EuroGupper I actually did a full video addressing micro plastics. You might be surprised at my response.
Crazy, those with some polly fiber from pillows would probably make a ba setup
I think those have fire retardant. Bad for fish
I do and they are amszinggggg
Awesome. I’ve noticed that my water is more clear at the end of the week than it used to be.
@@CichlidCharmer best hack everrrrr!!
Besides the scrubber's would I be able to get away with just charcoal and a fine filter pad or do I need more to keep my fish healthy
After a few viewer comments about micro plastics, I would probably steer clear of these. I would go with coarse, medium and fine sponges. Then whichever bio media you go with. Lava rock is really inexpensive. Just need to rinse it very well.
So do these pot scrubbers really work? And what's it for?to hold the beneficial bacteria?
I have only heard that they work. Yes, it’s for beneficial bacteria. I read that they can hold more than things like ceramic rings. We will see if I notice any benefits at all.
@@CichlidCharmer copy
when I had fish I used to use floor buffer pads.
😎🤪
Nice ch44 haplochromis
Thanks! He was all colored up before he joined the big boys
Bro pls recommend best monster fish low maintenance & Hardy 🙃
I don’t really have monster fish. My biggest guy is 12”. I would love to have a breeding pair of black nasties, but they would have to be alone and I wouldn’t want them in a tank smaller than my 240. The 240 could even be too small.
I actually use these to scrub the aquariums' decor, etc. Don't have that type filter shown but would never use these for long term in my fishtank unless recommended on the products' directions. Yes, pretty cool colors but are they safe for chemical / bio changes in your tank ?!
My dude looking like mike earmantraut
I’ll take that as a compliment 🤣
Been using scrubbies and media together for years.
Thanks for the info! 😀
Can someone explain is it because it give a place for bacteria to grow in the filter media?
Here’s the full video which explains everything: Could These KILL YOUR FISH? | Pot Scrubbers as Bio Media
ua-cam.com/video/SjwB9UrnhUk/v-deo.html
Thanks for asking!
I only use sponge.. no need for anything else. 😊
I think you’re on to something 😀
@@CichlidCharmer 🧐📸
Me too 😂
When it comes to fishes - learn from Asia
Not sure what you mean.
@@CichlidCharmer you know Ingless .... We know "phishes" 🫡
“What’s a pot scrubber”
I totally know what a lot scrubber is.
I used a heap of pot scrubbers crammed into an fx5 on a tiger Oscar tank for 8 years and it was fantastic never had an issue and beyond cheap direct from China. The fx5 failed after 8 years, the pot scrubbers did not.
won't it leave microplastic in the tank that gets into your fish? as water force does erose things so probably plastic either.
I am just doing a full video on that. I mean right this second 😍
We have group on Facebook we all use them 😂 😂 it works
Good to know!
I used scrubber, looks like sponge but hard it gives crystal clear water but then discovered that they are built with some material to avoid bacterial grow, in kitchen use this technology is useful but in aquarium filter it's disaster that your media can't group beneficial bacteria
Some have used almost entirely scrubbers without issue in highly stocked tanks. I wonder if that’s true of plain original scrubbers?
I've used them religiously
Are they better than matrix ?
I think you’ll find too many opinions out there going either way on that one. KaveMan Aquatics did an experiment on matrix, but he’s an ambassador for seachem
@@CichlidCharmerI love matrix it's great for anaerobic bacteria that's the main pro
@@spectrum7067 I have some matrix in one of my Fx6s. I haven’t noticed a drop in nitrates and it’s been several months. Like 6 or so. Have you noticed? Thanks for the suggestion!
Many filter medias porosity is so fine it clogs up and only the outside surface is functioning... so I've heard
@@2869may it’s hard to know for sure but that sounds possible. I need to see what Prime Time Aquatics has to say about all this. He has a degree in microbiology 😀
9 out of 10 fish recommended to use pot scrubbers in your filter😅😂
yeah leaking artificial coloring and microscopic particle of plastic as they break down like in every body of water from oceans to rivers and lakes, that way aquarium fishes feels realy like they're at home.
Good points. I’ve done some research since someone brought up the micro plastics and I will be removing them.
@@CichlidCharmer When I think about it, we know anything we put in water is going to desintegrate slowly over time, from metal to plastic or minerals and wood, we can exclude metal things because rust and stuff is a big NO, plastic we don't realy know how fast or slow it goes and we don't know the real composition.
We're more or less left with the last one Minerals, anything clay based or anything porous is usualy a safe bet because water already contain minerals. With water changes for me it's the safest bet. I personaly use exclusively lava rocks pebles, it's neutral for PH, very porous for bacerias and natural. Ceramic noodles are also a good choice for the same reasons.
That said I know aquarist using those plastic balls and they change them completly every two years or so to be safe. they're designed as aquarium filtration media and contain no coloring, if you realy want to go plastic might work for you.
the way he said i see a huge diffrence ok not really got me gigglin
Not got you giggling? That’s some of my best stuff
I put lava rock in mine works great
I’ve done that, too. Good suggestion!
Quick question what are the benefits of lava rock I plan on using it in my 125
@@nthompson937 it’s main benefit is that it’s so cheap. Works as well or better than ceramic rings. I’ve read that plastic pot scrubbers are the one of the best types of bio media, so I am switching to those.
Those pot scrubbers look like that thing that you use to make a bun in your hair lol 😂
They do! 🤣
you can filter with Rolex clocks you just need enough :D
😁
Finally something I can spend money on 😅
@@isanBen :D have fun
@@isanBen 😆😂
Nice😂❤
how is ur tank not overcrowded oml if i put 3 goldfish in a 20 gallon tank theyll all die
Not too familiar with goldfish. Many African cichlid keepers would have at least twice as many fish as I have in a 240. And some would prefer even more than that.
I try to limit the amount of plastic i use in my aquarium
Waltuh
Yep just clean them out every 3 days or they just add to waste
I understand wanting to keep everything clean, but the muck that eventually appears on them adds to the surface area, increasing the ability to house more beneficial bacteria. I won’t be cleaning mine until the flow slows down, and then only gently cleansing them
I will be releasing a full video on this Saturday
🤔 pot scrubbers are only useful is used in bulk and paired with a coarse, medium and the then a fine foam sponges. In such low quantity and loose formation they serve no purpose and allow too much bypass. Also bio-ring are generally garbage and only good in a settling shambles and only is used in a large quantity.
No not my choice when there are lava rocks and pumice
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Very versatile little scrubbers. I used these as a replacement during the TP shortage.😬
Ouch! 😬
I did use them a few times, they worked out greater than I expected, now with the whole microplastic awareness and understanding, I would not consider using them, not even for cleaning pots and pans, but yup, they work great in a filter
I have been researching that, and I have been unable to find any articles that tell me how long it takes for micro plastics to appear. I mean is it weeks? Years? Decades? Centuries? I might be taking mine out and doing another video because of the uncertainty. Thanks for commenting!
Master Proper is that you? what happends to you`?
It does work Here’s the thing media like ceramic rings, matrix and sintered glass are no good, the pores are just too small, now fine foam sponges are amazing at bio filtration because of the bigger pore size water is better able to flow through the media and bacteria
I’ve actually never had a problem with ceramic rings and matrix, but i think my water might be a tad clearer with these sponges. It could be my imagination though.
First
😆😀
Be careful some have bleach
?????😢
I’m confused about your comment, but thanks for watching!
Oh you put them in wrong they need to be upside down
Shoot. I’ll be removing them soon anyway. Thanks 🙏
What's the purpose of this video lol what's a pot scrubber still? 😂
Great question! I will see if I can find out for you.
One of the worst medias in reality
Expound upon that
@@CichlidCharmer bacteria don’t like plastic and pot scrubbers have a lot less surface area compared to other media of your not using bottle bacteria it can take upto 6 months to cycle plastics media
@@hakman239 I’ve read the opposite. I have switched most of my bio media in the 240 already. It’s doing fine so far. I suppose we shall see
@@CichlidCharmer look at surface area test
@@hakman239 I did. Do you have a link to the test you are referring to?
👎 bad
The vid or the scrubbers? Or both?
@@CichlidCharmer the comment 😅
@@isanBen Which comment?
Sorry but there's no way they have less surface area than equivalent bio rings.
Can you elaborate please?
@Ian Vargas you need surface area for nitrifying bacteria to grow on. More area =more bacteria which = more biological filtration. Think of it as if you were to peel the bio rings and lay it flat the area covered would be quite a bit less than the surface of the scrubbers thousands of strands. If the biorings are porous like a sponge then the difference is less.
So you're saying the pot scrubbers are better than ceramic rings? I don't agree, they are definitely comparable but they aren't better
@Kyle Busc is hard to believe, huh?? I know, but I did my research, and I was happily surprised. Now I run 2 oase canister filter with pot scrubbers and some biohome as I didn't want to throw them because they were expensive. But yeah, all my biological filtration ( plus biohome) is pot scrubbers. Research it!
@@SirTenoch they do work don't get me wrong, but they were designed to scrub pots. Ceramic rings were specially designed to have the most possible surface area for an object of that size. It's just objectively wrong to say that pot scrubbers are more efficient. They are more cost efficient but that's totally different.
It's better to use less Plastic 😌..
Interesting… why do you think? Because it isn’t porous?
@@CichlidCharmer i mean its already Plastic bucket and Plastic pipes and some experts say Plastic makes things Poisonous...so why putting more Plastic
@@Professor-qu5vz something sounds fishy 🧐
Lol?