4321patrick said:
those are the same as bio balls if you keep stuff frome building up on them you probly be fine with them but other then that just run some carbon and it will be fine looks good tho :cry:
Gotta disagree. You were correct in removing them. It isn't the stuff that builds up on them so much as it is that they lack an anaerobic area which doesn't allow them to break down the nitrates to nitrogen gas so you get stuck with an excess on nitrates.
If this tank was set up today then don't be surprised if some things die. You really shouldnt have anything in the way of corals or especially inverts like shrimp until your cycle is over. You will want to be monitoring your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates so that you can judge when your cycle is over.
If the media you are referring to is black granules than it is most likely carbon. That is good to use but you will want to rinse it first.
Feel free to ask any questions you have but please read through the beginner section and you will learn quite a bit. There is lots of good info here!
:welcome to nanotank.com!
Jesse