TheZiss Bubble Bio ZB-300is a compact, air-powered moving bed bio filter that delivers serious biological filtration in a footprint small enough to fit any aquarium up to ~80 gallons (300L). Powered by a single air pump, the included K1-style media constantly tumbles inside the chamber — scrubbing itself clean and growing a high-density colony of nitrifying bacteria that crushes ammonia and nitrite.
Pair it with an aquarium air pump, kick-start the cycle with live nitrifying bacteria, or shop more filtration media and accessories.
Why a Moving Bed Bio Filter?
- Massive bio capacity for its size.The constantly tumbling K1-style media (ZM-1, included) develops far more active surface area than a static sponge or stationary bio media of the same volume.
- Self-cleaning.Media pellets rub against each other in the bubble column, sloughing off old biofilm and detritus so only the strongest, most active bacteria remain. No regular media swaps required.
- Air-driven and silent.No motor, no impeller — runs entirely off your existing air pump. Quiet enough for bedrooms and offices.
- Adjustable flow.Control filtration rate by simply adjusting the air valve on your pump or line.
- Long-life media.The included ZM-1 media is rated to last up to 15 years — set it and forget it.
- Freshwater & saltwater compatible.Use in tropical community tanks, planted tanks, breeder/fry tanks, shrimp tanks, quarantine, or as supplemental bio filtration on a reef system.
How It Works
Connect any standard aquarium air pump to the air inlet via airline tubing. Bubbles rising through the chamber lift and tumble the K1-style biomedia, drawing tank water through the unit and exposing the media’s enormous surface area to ammonia- and nitrite-rich water. Beneficial bacteria colonize every pellet and convert toxic ammonia → nitrite → nitrate continuously.
Setup & Use
- Mount inside the tank.Four suction cups secure the unit to the side of the aquarium. Place near the bottom or middle for best water circulation.
- Connect air.Run airline tubing from your air pump to the ZB-300’s air inlet. A check valve between the pump and filter is recommended to prevent back-siphoning.
- Cycle in.Like any biological filter, the ZB-300 needs to cycle. Seed it with established media or dose live nitrifying bacteria to speed the process.
- Tune flow.Increase air for stronger filtration on heavily stocked tanks; reduce air for shrimp tanks or fry tanks where strong currents are unwanted.
Specifications
| Model | ZB-300 |
| Brand | Ziss Aqua |
| Filter Type | Moving Bed Biological (Internal) |
| Power | Air-driven (air pump required, sold separately) |
| Max Tank Capacity | Up to ~80 US gallons (300 L) |
| Filter Media Volume | 600 mL (ZM-1 media included) |
| Dimensions | 7.5 cm × 29 cm (≈3″ × 11.4″) |
| Mounting | 4 suction cups (internal) |
| Compatibility | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Media Lifespan | Up to 15 years |
Best For
- Planted community tanks where you want strong bio filtration without surface flow chaos
- Shrimp tanks (gentle, controlled flow + huge bio capacity)
- Fry & breeder tanks — no impeller to suck up babies
- Quarantine and hospital tanks — easy to clean and re-seed
- Backup or supplemental bio filtration on larger systems
- Reef tanks needing extra ammonia-handling capacity in a refugium or sump
Recommended Pairings
- Aquatop Breza Battery-Backup Air Pump — drives the ZB-300 and keeps it running through power outages
- Aquaforest AF Life Essence Nitrifying Bacteria — seeds the bio media to cycle faster
- Waterbox Freshwater Starter Bacteria — alternative cycle starter
- Aquaforest AF Water Conditioner — neutralize chlorine before adding water (chlorine kills the bio colony)
- Water testing kits — track ammonia/nitrite/nitrate as the filter cycles
- All filter media & cartridges
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate air pump?
Yes — the ZB-300 is air-driven. Any standard aquarium air pump and airline tubing will work. Match the pump output to your tank size for best results.
Will this work in a saltwater tank?
Yes. The ZB-300 is freshwater and saltwater safe. It’s especially useful as supplemental bio filtration in a reef sump or refugium.
Do I ever need to clean it?
The moving media self-cleans through constant tumbling — that’s the whole point of a moving bed filter. Occasionally rinse the housing in tank water to clear debris from the body, but never bleach or hot-water rinse the media itself (it would kill the bacteria colony).
How long until it’s “cycled”?
A bare ZB-300 takes 2–6 weeks to fully cycle, the same as any biological filter. Seeding it with established bio media or dosing a live bacteria starter shortens this to days.
Can I use my own K1 / Kaldnes media in it?
Yes — any K1-style moving bed media of similar size works. The included ZM-1 is matched to the chamber and is what we recommend.
Is local pickup the only option?
Pickup is preferred at our Georgia showroom. Contact us for shipping options on dry goods.
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