View Full Version : Canister Filter media options
Ramirez
10-02-2003, 8:32 AM
How about a thread for people to tell what kind of media they use in their filter? For example, a Fluval has three trays, one of which is probably universally used for biological filtration. What about the other two trays? I have heard that charcoal removes important plant nutrients, so what other filter media do people use on their planted tanks?
DIYMatt
10-02-2003, 10:17 AM
I'll give this one a shot. I think the thread would probably be far to lengthy and disputed to put on here. Also, quite a few people dispute exactly how much (or any) biofiltration a filter provides. I can tell you what I use in my canisters, one of which is a Fluval. I use the foam blocks that come with on the one side and I filled two of three trays on the other side with a ceramic biomedia bought from a store. I have heard others use everything from bio-balls to even plastic army men for "bio media" in their canisters. I have very old carbon in one of my Renas that I use as bio media, seems to work. Carbon is only actively "removing" chemicals for a short time, after that it is just a place for the possibility of beneficial bacteria growth. My fluval has a little half tray on the top tray that I leave open mostly and put floss in it when I want a little extra particulate filtration. One thing I always recommend is putting a foam block "prefilter" over the intake tube, it has cut my filter maintenance a ton.
So, basically I always use foam combined with something with surface area for bacteria and sometimes floss or filter felt for particulate filtration. But, I would stay away from carbon unless you have to remove some medication.
djlen
10-02-2003, 11:30 AM
They make ceramic 'noodles' and 'stars' to put into the trays. Some people put crushed lava rock in. All of these are used for the nutrifying bacteria to cling to.
I use the coarse sponge pads that came with it. There is usually a fine mesh sponge that is put in the top tray, which most people I've talked with have told me not to use as it's unnecessary and requires too much maintenance to keep clean.
Len
The Gipper
10-02-2003, 1:05 PM
I use the following in my 3-tray canister:
Bottom Tray: ceramic noodles followed by 1 inch sponge type pad
Middle Tray: plastic "grass-like" material, wound and wadded up
Top Tray: porous ceramic biomedia, followed by a finer pad.
My internal canisters are mechanical-only, so just sponges. My external canisters are biological-only, so ceramic noodles or plastic bioballs. For details see:
http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/cannister.shtml
HTH
ianjoe
10-02-2003, 5:26 PM
Rena Flistar Xp-1
Bottom: Ceramic rings
Middle: Course sponge/foam
Top: Fine sponge/foam
works for me
superjohnny
10-03-2003, 12:52 PM
Plants take care of the bio-filtration so no need for carbon. In my canister I use two trays of ceramic noodles and one coarse sponge pad.
??? Carbon is chemical filtration, not biofiltration.
superjohnny
10-03-2003, 3:15 PM
Errrr, chemical right. My mistake :o
125gJoe
10-03-2003, 5:50 PM
We just keep it simple and use 'Bio Balls', sponge, and filter floss....