Description:
Biological filtration is the most important stage of any aquarium, sump or pond filter. It's where beneficial bacteria colonies convert toxic ammonia into nitrite, and nitrite into the far less harmful nitrate, a process known as the nitrogen cycle. For that to happen efficiently, those bacteria need somewhere to live, and that's exactly what bio balls provide.
Each 16mm blue bio ball is designed to maximise surface area in a compact form, giving beneficial bacteria as much colonisation space as possible. The open structure also promotes gas exchange, which supports the oxygen levels that both your fish and your bacterial colonies depend on. Unlike sponge media, bio balls don't clog with debris, which means water flows through freely and the bacteria aren't competing with trapped waste for space.
Bio balls are best used as biological filtration media only, placed after mechanical media such as sponge or filter pads in your media stack. This ensures debris is captured before it reaches the bio balls, keeping them clean and maximising their biological performance.
Compatible with canister filters, sumps, and bio media chambers. Suitable for aquariums, shrimp tanks, and ponds.
Suitable for freshwater and saltwater aquariums, sumps, and ponds.
Product Features:
- Great for fish tanks to promote gas exchange and increase dissolved oxygen levels
- Ideal for tropical fish farms, koi ponds, sewage systems, etc
- For use with wet/dry filters (not included) to enhance biological filtration
- Assists in the critical gas exchange process required for successful biological filtration
Product Specifications:
- Colour: Blue
- Material: Environmental plastic
- Size: 16mm
Items Included:
- 100 x Blue Bio Balls
Bio Balls - Blue - 100PCS
Bio Balls - Blue - 100PCS
Out of stock
Everything about shipping, specifications and warranties is just below.
Why Shop With Us — Our Guarantee & Shipping Info
Why Shop With Us — Our Guarantee & Shipping Info
✅ Quality Products - Reliable aquarium supplies for your setup.
🚚 Standard Shipping Up to 10 kg ($11.95 to $24.95): Delivery within 3 to 10 business days. Rates by order weight: up to 1.5 kg $11.95; 1.5 - 2.5 kg $14.95; 2.5 - 4 kg $16.95; over 4 - 7 kg $19.95; 7 - 10 kg $24.95.
🚚 Heavy & Bulk Shipping Over 10 kg ($34.95 to $59.95): Delivery within 3 to 10 business days. Rates by order weight: 10 - 15 kg $34.95; 15 - 20 kg $44.95; over 20 kg $59.95.
Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the combined weight of dry goods in your order.
🛡️ Warranty Support - Most eligible equipment and accessories are backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty, with claims handled through us.
🔄 Easy Returns - Most unopened dry goods can be returned within 14 days for change of mind, subject to our return conditions.
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Tips Before You Buy — Product Guidance
Tips Before You Buy — Product Guidance
💡 Unsure which product is right for your tank? Visit our Education section or Blogs for help choosing the best equipment.
🐟 Beginners can start with: How to set up your aquarium, while everyone can check out Aquarium Maintenance & Care for ongoing tank tips!
🌿 Not all products are suitable for every tank size - Double-check dimensions and specifications before purchasing.
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How the Bio Balls Compare
🔵 Bio Balls
- 🦠Dedicated Biological Filtration: Provides a dedicated surface for beneficial bacteria to colonise and contribute to the biological stage of your filtration.
- ⭕Open Structure: The open design allows water to move through the media, helping expose the available surface area to oxygen-rich aquarium water.
- 💧Supports the Nitrogen Cycle: Provides additional biological media for the bacteria involved in converting ammonia and nitrite as the aquarium's biological filtration develops.
- 🧺Easy to Add to Existing Filtration: Can be placed in suitable canister filters, sumps and other filter chambers alongside mechanical and other biological media.
- 📦100 Pieces per Pack: Provides a substantial quantity of biological media for filling or adding to an appropriate filtration chamber.
⚪ Filtration Without Dedicated Bio Media
- 🦠Less Dedicated Surface Area: Without purpose-built biological media, there is less dedicated space specifically intended for beneficial bacteria to colonise.
- 💧Biological Filtration Relies on Other Surfaces: Beneficial bacteria can still colonise suitable surfaces throughout an established aquarium and its existing filter components, but there is no additional bio media chamber being provided.
- 🔄Fewer Options for Expanding Biological Media: Adding more dedicated biological media gives you another way to increase the amount of filter media available for bacterial colonisation.
- 🧺Less Dedicated Filter Media: Mechanical media can still perform its intended function, but it does not provide the same purpose-built role as a dedicated biological media stage.
- 🔧Less Flexibility for Media Builds: A filtration system without dedicated bio media gives you fewer options when building a layered mechanical and biological filtration setup.
Bio balls are a staple of biological filtration for good reason. They're durable, easy to rinse, and provide a stable long-term home for the bacterial colonies that keep your water chemistry in check. We include them as bonus media in several of our canister filter kits, and stock them separately for aquarists who want to top up their media or run them in a sump or filter.
Bio balls rarely need cleaning, but if flow through your filter drops or you notice debris accumulating on them, a gentle rinse in old tank water is all that's needed. Never rinse in tap water as chlorine will harm the bacterial colonies living on the surface. Replace bio balls if they crack or break down structurally, though with normal use they last for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bio balls used for?
Bio balls are biological filter media designed to provide surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonise. These bacteria help process ammonia and nitrite as part of the aquarium nitrogen cycle, supporting more stable water conditions.
Where should I place bio balls in my filter?
Bio balls are best placed after your mechanical filtration, such as filter sponges or filter pads. This allows larger debris to be removed before water reaches the biological media, helping keep the bio balls cleaner and allowing water to flow through them freely.
Can I use bio balls in a filter media bag?
Yes. Bio balls can be placed inside a filter media mesh bag to keep them contained and organised. This also makes removing, cleaning or replacing the biological media easier without having to handle individual bio balls. You can find suitable Filter Media Bags here.
Can I use bio balls in a canister filter?
Yes. Bio balls can be used in canister filters, sumps and dedicated biological media chambers, provided there is enough room for water to flow freely around the media.
Can bio balls be used in a sump?
Yes. They are well suited to sump filtration and can be used in biological media sections where water is able to circulate through the bio balls.
Are bio balls suitable for ponds?
Yes. Bio balls can be used as biological media in aquarium and pond filtration systems, including suitable koi and ornamental fish pond setups.
Can I use bio balls in freshwater and saltwater?
Yes. These bio balls are suitable for both freshwater and saltwater filtration systems.
Do bio balls need to be replaced regularly?
Bio balls do not need to be replaced on a regular schedule. They can continue providing biological surface area for beneficial bacteria as long as they remain in good condition. Replace them if they become damaged or unusable.
How should I clean bio balls?
If cleaning is necessary, gently rinse the bio balls in removed aquarium or pond water. Avoid washing established biological media under chlorinated tap water, as chlorine can harm the beneficial bacteria living on the media.
Do bio balls remove ammonia and nitrite directly?
No. Bio balls provide a surface for beneficial bacteria to live; the bacteria are responsible for processing ammonia and nitrite as part of the nitrogen cycle. Bio balls themselves are not chemical media that directly absorb these compounds.
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