Yes, it does work well, but then again, so many things do. The best as far as "bang for your buck" that I ever used was some sort of PVC ribbon, something most likely left over from PVC pipe turned on a lathe. In fact, I thought about getting an inexpensive wood lathe to make it myself. It's been a while, but I got the PVC shavings as "Bio-Fill" or something like that, from Aquatic Ecosystems in Apopka, FL
Mine was used as the primary biofilter in two of my Koi ponds. The media was placed in plastic trums set up as trickle towers. Two cubic feet of that, or any type of ribbon material in a TT has a rediculous fish holding capacity. Used in a TT that is supplied with mechanically clean water doe not require cleaning, ever. But the trick was doing a good job of mechanical filtration ahead of the bio section.
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL