Product Information
What is BioHex B2?
Something Fishy BioHex B2 is a porous ceramic biological filter medium designed to become part of your aquarium’s biological filtration system.The media consists of compact, hollow hexagonal ceramic pieces. The ceramic is fired at high temperature, and the porous structure provides surfaces and spaces where beneficial microorganisms can establish. The B2 reference product is described as pH-neutral and suitable for both freshwater and seawater aquariums.
Unlike mechanical filter media, which is primarily used to trap physical debris, biological media is intended to provide a stable substrate for bacterial colonisation.As an aquarium matures, these bacterial populations become an important part of the nitrogen cycle, helping process ammonia and nitrite produced by fish, uneaten food and other organic waste.
How the ceramic media supports biological filtration
A functioning aquarium develops a community of microorganisms throughout its biological filtration system.BioHex provides additional solid surface on which these microorganisms can establish.
The basic process is: Fish waste and organic matter → ammonia → nitrite → nitrate
The bacteria associated with biological filtration are involved in the conversion of ammonia and nitrite during this process. BioHex does not chemically absorb ammonia or instantly detoxify an aquarium. Its role is to provide a suitable surface for biological colonisation.
This distinction is important: the media becomes more useful as the bacterial population establishes over time.
Why the hexagonal design is useful
The B2 pieces have a hollow hexagonal form, giving each piece both external surfaces and an internal passage.This provides:
- Surface area for bacterial colonisation
- An open path for water to pass through the centre
- Spaces between individual pieces for water circulation
- A compact form that can be arranged inside filter chambers
The actual biological performance of any ceramic media depends on factors such as its pore structure, amount of media used, water flow, oxygen availability and aquarium bioload. The shape alone should not be treated as a measure of filtration capacity.
High-temperature-fired ceramic – The B2 media is described by the referenced manufacturers as high-temperature fired ceramic. AquaNature also describes the material as containing natural elements, minerals and trace elements and identifies it as pH-neutral.For an aquarium filter, this gives you a stable ceramic medium that can remain in the biological filtration section while bacterial colonies establish and develop.
Suitable for freshwater and saltwater – BioHex B2 is suitable for both freshwater and marine aquarium filtration.
Freshwater applications
Suitable for biological filtration in:
- Community aquariums
- Planted aquariums
- Goldfish aquariums
- Cichlid aquariums
- Betta aquariums
- Shrimp aquariums
- Breeding and grow-out systems
Saltwater applications
Suitable for:
- Marine fish aquariums
- Fish-only marine systems
- Marine sump filtration
- Suitable reef aquarium filtration systems
Where to use BioHex B2
BioHex can be placed in the biological-media section of:
- Canister filters
- Sump systems
- Top filters
- Overhead filters
- Internal filters
- Wet/dry filtration systems
- Other aquarium filters with space for loose biological media
For easier handling, loose ceramic media can be placed inside a filter-media bag before putting it into the filter.
How to use
Before first use –Rinse the media thoroughly to remove loose ceramic dust and particles from manufacturing and handling. Do not use soap, detergents or household cleaning products.
Placement in the filter –Place the media in a filter basket, biological-media chamber or suitable filter-media bag. Where the filter allows, position biological media after mechanical filtration. This allows sponges or other mechanical media to catch larger particles before water reaches the ceramic media.
Allow the media to mature – New BioHex does not contain an instantly mature bacterial colony. Once placed in a functioning aquarium, beneficial bacteria gradually colonise the media. The time required for colonisation depends on the aquarium, existing bacterial population, water flow, oxygen availability and other conditions.
How to clean BioHex – Biological media should be treated differently from mechanical media. If the media becomes coated with accumulated debris, gently rinse or swish it in water removed from the aquarium during a water change. Avoid aggressively scrubbing established ceramic media.
The objective is to remove excessive debris while retaining as much of the established biological community as practical.
How BioHex fits into a complete filter
BioHex is not intended to replace every other type of filter media. A well-designed filter can use different media for different jobs:
| Filter media | Primary role |
|---|---|
| Coarse sponge / foam | Traps larger particles and debris |
| Fine sponge / polishing pad | Captures finer suspended particles |
| BioHex ceramic media | Provides surface for beneficial bacteria |
| Activated carbon | Chemical adsorption when required |
| Specialised chemical media | Targeted water-chemistry management |
The exact arrangement depends on the filter and aquarium.
Important to know – BioHex is biological media, not an instant water conditioner.
It does not replace:
- Aquarium cycling
- Regular water changes
- Adequate filtration
- Proper aeration and water movement
- Appropriate stocking
- Mechanical filtration
- Routine aquarium maintenance
It also should not be described as a dedicated nitrate-removal medium. Biological filtration normally converts ammonia and nitrite into nitrate; nitrate itself needs to be managed through the broader aquarium system.
Product specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product name | Something Fishy BioHex B2 |
| Product type | Biological aquarium filter media |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Shape | Hollow hexagonal ring |
| Colour | White / off-white |
| Manufacturing | High-temperature fired |
| pH characteristic | pH neutral |
| Function | Biological filtration |
| Aquarium use | Freshwater & saltwater |
| Filter compatibility | Canister, sump, top/overhead, internal and compatible filter systems |
| Brand | Generic / Unbranded |
| Model / code | B2 |
The B2 reference listings identify the media as high-temperature-fired ceramic, pH-neutral and suitable for freshwater and seawater use.
Something Fishy Recommends
Build filtration in layers.
BioHex works best as one component of a complete filtration system:
1. Mechanical filtration
Removes physical waste and suspended particles.
↓
2. Biological filtration — BioHex B2
Provides a surface for beneficial bacteria.
↓
3. Chemical filtration — when required
Activated carbon, phosphate media or other specialised media can be added according to the aquarium’s needs.
This approach is more useful than simply filling a filter with one type of media.
Information
| Size | 1 Kg, 10 Kg, 2 Kg, 15 Kg, 5 Kg |
|---|
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It can be used as biological filter media in freshwater aquariums, including community, planted, goldfish, cichlid, betta and shrimp systems.
Yes. The B2 product is specified for both freshwater and seawater aquarium use.
Yes. It can be used as biological media in planted freshwater aquariums.
Yes. It can be used as part of the biological filtration system in a goldfish aquarium. Because goldfish can produce substantial waste, the overall filter should be appropriately sized and include adequate mechanical filtration as well.
Not by directly absorbing it. The ceramic provides a surface for beneficial bacteria. Once established, those bacteria participate in the biological processing of ammonia and nitrite.
It supports the biological filtration process responsible for converting nitrite into nitrate once the appropriate bacterial population has established.
No, it should not be considered a dedicated nitrate-removal medium. Nitrate management depends on the aquarium's overall maintenance, plants, water changes and any specialised nitrate-control methods being used.
No. New ceramic media needs time to become colonised by beneficial bacteria. It is a substrate for biological filtration, not a substitute for establishing the nitrogen cycle.
The B2 media is described by the manufacturer as pH-neutral.
Generally, put biological media after coarse mechanical filtration. This allows larger debris to be removed before the water reaches the ceramic media.
Yes. They perform different functions and can be used together when the aquarium requires both biological and chemical filtration.
Not necessarily. If your filter has a dedicated basket or chamber that safely holds loose ceramic media, you can place it there. A media bag is useful when the filter requires loose media to be contained or when you want easier removal during maintenance.
For new media, rinsing with clean water before first use is appropriate to remove dust. For established biological media, we recommend using removed aquarium water for routine cleaning so you minimise unnecessary disruption to the bacterial colony.
There is no fixed monthly replacement schedule. Ceramic biological media is intended for long-term use. Replace it when it becomes physically damaged, severely clogged or otherwise deteriorated.
It is generally better not to replace all established biological media simultaneously in a mature aquarium unless there is a specific reason. Doing so can remove a significant portion of the established biological filtration.
It needs consistent water movement through and around the media so that oxygenated aquarium water reaches the bacterial colonies. The ideal flow depends on the filter design and the rest of the filtration system.
There is no single quantity that is correct for every aquarium. The appropriate amount depends on aquarium volume, bioload, filter capacity, water flow and how much other biological media is already being used.
It can provide biological filtration within a marine filtration system, but it should not automatically be treated as a one-for-one replacement for live rock or other components of a marine aquarium's biological ecosystem. The filtration requirements depend on the individual marine setup.
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