Just Bought an XP3 and have a question

H

Hunter74

AC Members
Mar 30, 2005
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Vancouver B.C.
I just picked the XP3 filter up yesterday for my 90 gallon tank. and I am very confused about how much media I put in it. The list is as follows. In the bottom basket is the 4 sponges

the middle basket is a mix of the biostars that came with it and some bio stuff that is round with a hole in it (the name escapes me right now) on top of that is the charcoal pack that came with the filter

the top top basket has a biozorb the guy sold me with the filter. next up is the zeolite which he also sold me. then sitting on top of that is the thin white sponge that came with it.

Is this too much filter media? what should I take out or what dont I need. I am used to aquaclear filters. three media choices that is all.

TIA for the answers
 
You can never have too much filter media, especially the bio media that harbors your bacteria colonies for waste breakdown. I would leave all the biozorb stuff out (my opinion) and stick to the ceramic bio media. Now, your bacteria colonies will only get as big as your bio load (number of fish producing waste) so don't think that more bio media will just automatically do a better job. If you happen to max out your tank capacity for fish and you have a filter chock full of bio media, you should have plenty of space in your filter for the colonies to reproduce and maintain a healthy aquarium. Does this make any sense? Let me know if you have questions!
 
I sort of understand. I am still running an established Aquaclear 110 on the tank. So from what I undertsand. The bottom basket should have the 4 sponges that came with the filter. Fill the middle basic with the biostars/cermaic bio ball things. Then the top basic? More biostar or put the carbon or zeolite in the top basket? With the white foam on top?
 
here is the configuration i use with a similar filter, a C-360.

Bottom- sponges
Middle- carbon (now is used for more sponges though
2nd bin from the top- bio balls (the biostars in your case)
top bin- bio rings and then the white sponge on top of them

i would take back the zeolite. it will prevent ammonia from reaching the bacteria in the filter, and it will die off.
 
It's sort of a judgement call. Some poeple like to use carbon and it works well with some exceptions. If you have plants, I would not use carbon. It affects ferts. If you don't have plants, by all means, use it. It will remove organics and reduce and type of odors. You also have to replace carbon on a regular basis, so that leads to expense. I will only use carbon on a tank filter when I want to remove something specifically (like medication or suspect contaminants) I run two different types of canisters. One is a fluval FX5 and the other a Fluval 405. Both filters have their media chambers full of bio media and nothing else other than the sponges for some mechanical filtration. May I suggest adding (in some form) the media out of your existing filter to the new filter media tray when you make the switch. This will help out in the establishment of your new filter's bacteria colonies and will not cause the tank to cycle.
 
Man this filter is confusing. Can't take back the zeolite as it is in the filter right now. What about the Biozorb pack that is in it. Leave it?

What is the difference between the biostars/rings/balls?

So when I get home tonight. This is what I will switch the filter too

Each basket has two compartments

Bottom basket - the 4 sponges
Middle basket - bottom tray biostars, top tray carbon pack
Top basket - bottom tray bio rings, top tray the biozorb with the foam ontop
 
avionics30 said:
May I suggest adding (in some form) the media out of your existing filter to the new filter media tray when you make the switch. This will help out in the establishment of your new filter's bacteria colonies and will not cause the tank to cycle.
Click to expand...


Already done that, the bio rings I have in the XP3 are from the aquaclear 110.
 
I do coarse then fine sponges in the bottom to catch the crud, pot scrubbies or ceramic things, floss or batting then the white micro pad. No chemical or carbon layer unless I need it. Rinse & reuse indefinately just like with Aqua clear HOBs.

Don't forget to clean the impeller
 
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