2nd filter for mechanical filtration?

[Hydro]

A number of posts have suggested the use of one filter for bio-filtration and a second mainly for mechanical filtration. I have some questions on how to properly set this up.

I have a Fluval 304 canister with carbon in the bottom basket, carbon and biomax in the middle basket (one of each on each side of the basket) and biomax in the top basket. If I want to use this unit mainly for bio filtration, do I:

1. Replace all the carbon with biomax for all the baskets in the canister?

2. Wrap some kind of foam around the intake nozzle to prevent particulates from going into the filter? Can I use clean household sponge for this purpose or is there a special kind of foam I need to use? Would the sponge or foam not restrict water intake too much to cause problems for the motor in the filter?

3. I am not sure yet whether I will be adding an HOB or another canister as the second filter to do the mechanical filtration. Is one type better than the other for mechanical filtration? And what media should I use for this purpose?

If there is anything else I should keep in mind in setting this up, please let me know.

Thanks.

[RTR]

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/cannister.shtml


HTH

[blitzen25bm]

Originally posted by Hydro
A number of posts have suggested the use of one filter for bio-filtration and a second mainly for mechanical filtration. I have some questions on how to properly set this up.

I have a Fluval 304 canister with carbon in the bottom basket, carbon and biomax in the middle basket (one of each on each side of the basket) and biomax in the top basket. If I want to use this unit mainly for bio filtration, do I:

1. Replace all the carbon with biomax for all the baskets in the canister?
yea, you probably don't need carbon anyways, put only bio media in the canister
2. Wrap some kind of foam around the intake nozzle to prevent particulates from going into the filter? Can I use clean household sponge for this purpose or is there a special kind of foam I need to use? Would the sponge or foam not restrict water intake too much to cause problems for the motor in the filter?
dont risk it with a normal sponge it might have some stuff in it when they made it, theres an eheim prefilter that might fit with minor mods or you can just cut a slit into a small aquaclear sponge and stick it onto the intake
3. I am not sure yet whether I will be adding an HOB or another canister as the second filter to do the mechanical filtration. Is one type better than the other for mechanical filtration? And what media should I use for this purpose? hang ons would be the best they are a lot easier with maintence and cheaper. the aquaclears or marinelands are good aquaclears are cheaper and have bigger sponges to colleact dirt. the marinelands cost more esp the emperors but they have the biowheel and their cartridges are easier to work with just slide out and run it in the sink.

If there is anything else I should keep in mind in setting this up, please let me know.

Thanks.

[Hydro]

Great article RTR. Very helpful. And thanks for the tips John. The Aquaclear sponge idea is great. I just put one on the Fluval intake nozzle and it works great. Doesn't slow the flow at all.

From what I gather then, I should go with all bio media for one filter and go with sponge or foam media for the the other.

Thanks!

[RTR]

Since the article was writen, I have change to the use of FilterMaxIIIs for pre-filtration. I still have some of the plder setups going fine, but materials are not all still available. Josh Kaptur put me onto the FilterMax units - they are easy to service and come with a huge selection of adapters.

[Hydro]

Did a search for FilterMax on the web and it looks good. Am I correct to understand that you just attach the filtermax to the intake nozzle of the canister filter? I notice that filtermax comes in I, II, and III. Is the difference in the size of the foam piece only or are there other differences?

I am also wondering about the "poly wool" stuff for the second filter devoted to mechanical filtration. I read references to a "floss" material. Is that the same thing as this "poly wool" stuff? Would this be better than foam/sponge or should they be used in combination?

Thanks in advance for answering my questions.

[RTR]

FilterMaxI is a very fine sponge, full size. The FilterMaxII is the same fine sponge, 1/2 size. IME those clog too fast even when I have plenty of other mechanical filtration. FilterMaxIII, like Baby Bear's porrige, is just right for this use IME. :p

I replace the intake strainer with the FilterMax.

The fiber flosses are perfectly good mechanical filters. I don't use them myself as I have standardized on sponges, which last longer individually and rinse easily.

[Hydro]

Thanks for the clarification on the Filtermax and the fiber floss. My list of things to get and do is getting longer, but I'll get there.

Thanks.

[RTR]

Tanks are never "done" - there is always tweaking to be done, either needed or just desired. Otherwise it would get boring. ;)