Reusing and cleaning bio media

[GHOSTLY]

Ive got some old bio media from a fw tank that just got shut down a while ago. A lot of its pretty okay condition and I wanted to use some in my current tank. Any tips on cleaning it for use again or should I just buy more. I only wanted a handful to seed so I can cycle and setup a new tank which im transitioning over atm

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Ive got some old bio media from a fw tank that just got shut down a while ago. A lot of its pretty okay condition and I wanted to use some in my current tank. Any tips on cleaning it for use again or should I just buy more. I only wanted a handful to seed so I can cycle and setup a new tank which im transitioning over atm

After reading about aluminum leaching issues with the ceramic media, I avoid it completely.

 

[Fish Fan]

I agree, I don't use any of those ceramic bio medias, but if you have plastic bio media you can rinse and reuse the bio media. If you're starting a new freshwater tank then the cycled bio media will help seed that tank, but if you're starting a new saltwater tank then the freshwater bio media won't help it cycle quickly because the bacteria in freshwater systems can't handle the salinity of saltwater systems.

 

[GHOSTLY]

I agree, I don't use any of those ceramic bio medias, but if you have plastic bio media you can rinse and reuse the bio media. If you're starting a new freshwater tank then the cycled bio media will help seed that tank, but if you're starting a new saltwater tank then the freshwater bio media won't help it cycle quickly because the bacteria in freshwater systems can't handle the salinity of saltwater systems.

Sorry I should of specified. Im going through a tank upgrade atm, the media is from a freshwater tank but i wanna put it in my current tank to grow bacteria on it to transfer over

 

[GHOSTLY]

After reading about aluminum leaching issues with the ceramic media, I avoid it completely.

Theyre the marinepure gems if that helps

 

[exnisstech]

I've not used the gems but I have used the blocks. I never noticed any issues but I did never had an ICP done to look for leaching metals.
What I did notice and why I won't use them again is that over time they just crumbled and ended up as a pile of crud. I think rock rubble is a better choice.