Few questions on my fluval 204

[Fishy_Fun]

ok here goes,

I got it off somebody through craigslist for dirt cheap.When i got it home it was really dirty but i got it for nothing.After cleaning it i was wondering if i could use the same water polishing pads that were already in there?i have cleaned them vigorously except they are a stained brown color is this alright?would like some thoughts on what to put in the trays?i was thinking filter floss on bottom,don't know what to put in middle and some crushed coral on top.what do you think?Also on the filter floss can i use some polyester stuffing rather than go out and buy a bag of filter floss?And finally is there a way to clean the tubes?The person that had it before me switched out the ribbed tubing for some clear tubing which i think is good as the ribbed would become clogged really fast.So any replies would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Kyle

[Mgamer20o0]

i would replace them. i would do sponges floss and bio media. i use polyfil witch is the stuffing.

i would hook it up to a bucket and put some bleach in it. this way you can make sure to clean it very well.

[Fishy_Fun]

So pure bleach?How much do you recommend?i will go ahead and replace the polishing pads.So you would put sponge on bottom,poly in middle and bio media on top am i correct?what type of sponge would you put in the bottom?

[Mgamer20o0]

20 to 1. i used the sponge it came with in mine. they could be safe but in my eyes they are cheap might as well be safe then sorry. after the bleach change the water a couple times and run it. then add extra prime to make sure the bleach gets out.

[Fishy_Fun]

okay thanks will go out tomorrow and get some new sponges.i just need to figure out how to prime the dang thing to start it.

[Mgamer20o0]

fill it with water. fill the tubes up with water and away you go.

[Fishy_Fun]

thanks...i didn't get the manual with this thing and have looked online and found the instructions on priming but didn't really help anyways thanks i will set it up and let it run.oh and can i use just a regular dish sponge or something?

[Mgamer20o0]

its best to get one that fits. you can buy a big thing of sponge and cut it down your self but its not that hard to get a sponge for it.

[Mgamer20o0]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hagen-Fluval-204-304-Foam-Filter-Block-2pk_W0QQitemZ110194217917QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3212QQ rdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQc mdZViewItem

[Fishy_Fun]

yes those are what im going to buy tomorrow but you said to use sponge on the bottom tray right?i thought you said sponge bottom,filter floss middle and bio media on top.yes there are 4 big sponges in mine then three trays i just need to know now what to put into those three trays

[Fishy_Fun]

heres a link to my filter number three is the sponge screen

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/fluval_204parts.html

[Dave-ZZ4]

Here is a place you can look online or download the manual for your filter:

http://livingworld.com/pdf/aquatic/Fluval04new.pdf

Since it was used i would clean it and replace all the filter pads and media with new.

Priming is very easy. Just hook everything up and pump the "start" tab up and down until you feel it pump water. That is the priming pump.

[krytan]

I have a fluval 304 and have filter floss in the bottom and middle trays with bio-media in the top tray.