Filter Media

[DrgRcr]

Hello all. My wife and I just went for the throat with a new 72g bowfront and stand. I've gotten most of the accessories, some black sand coming, etc. The filter is a Penn Plax 1200. My question is about the media. Right now it seems to have 2 different floss trays, and one carbon tray. Most of what I've read seems to suggest not using carbon. What would your recommendations be as far as other media?

[Mr.Midas]

In my canister filter I use bags of zeocarb, either the premade aquaclear ones or ones I make myself, Fluval biomax(or similar) and I think they're called bioballs, to increase the surface area for the growth of nitrifying bacteria.

[OldMan47]

Zeocarb is not a bio filter at all. It is a chemical filter even more insidious than carbon in its negative impact. Being a combination of carbon and zeolite, it removes more than the carbon and will inhibit proper development of the bacterial colonies that you need. Leave it on the shelf at the LFS. On the other hand, ceramic biofilter media or bio-balls are a good filler for an empty basket in a canister filter.

[jm1212]

carbon is really only useful when you want to get some medication or other chemical out of the tank's water. other than that, it really doesn't have any real uses. use the space that you would for carbon for some bio media or some more mechanical media.

[abcdefghi]

In my filter I have from the bottom up > coarse sponge > floss > more sponge > bio balls > floss and the carbon that came with the filter is sitting in its bag inside my stand, hopefully to never be needed.

[jpappy789]

I use filter floss, coarse sponge, and ceramic filter media.

[DrgRcr]

I forgot to mention that this will not be a planted tank

[excuzzzeme]

My tanks are also unplanted. I do not use carbon as it is an expense that does nothing for my water parameters. I use no chemicals as I have found them to be pretty much of little help. I am on a private well and have good quality water.

I use many different filtering methods that consist of coarse sponges, filter pads or filter floss For bio I use either bio-balls or ceramic rings. In the case of my sump I also have regular aquarium gravel in it in addition to the bio-balls.

[DrgRcr]

Excuse, what are the parameters of your water out of the well, pH, GH, KH? I'm asking because I am also on a private well and would like to know if you are similar to what I have.

[yourchoice]

I like the ceramic rings for the bottom tray.When cleaning I see that the larger particles get circulated and end up trapped on the bottom of the filter.