View Full Version : newb filter media question
Indigo
10-06-2004, 5:24 PM
Hi everyone!
All is going well in my tank. Got some plants, its cycled and I'm planning on getting fish this weekend. But I have been a-pondering what to put in my AC200. It came with carbon and foam/sponge, and there is space for a third item. Should I fill the entire thing with sponges, bioballs? Combination of different things?
Any suggestions would be great!
OrionGirl
10-06-2004, 5:48 PM
I like sponges--they are cheap, easy to clean, and work well. But, you could go with sponges and the bio-balls. The sponges would then be primarily for mechanical filtration, and you could clean them completely with each change, and the balls would become the biological media, needing only a quick rinse if solids made it through the sponges.
I run 2 sponges in my AC's. Then, if needed, I always have a third compartment to add any special media without too much effort.
Kasakato
10-06-2004, 6:15 PM
Could you add carbon
Carbon is really only needed if you want to remove something specific. Since it wears out within a few weeks at most, it is really just a money waster on an established and cycled tank. 2 sponges are the cheapest and easiest way to go with the AC line of filters (or any HOB).
Captain Hook
10-06-2004, 11:01 PM
Like the others, I too use sponges in my Aquaclears. I usually use 2 sponges and occasionally add filter floss on the top for water polishing. It removes fine debris that make it through the sponges.
You can use carbon if you are trying to remove medications you have used in the tank. I don't recommend using the ammonia removers, a healthy bacteria colony will do that work for you.
Never tried bio balls in ACs. I'm sure you can but in my opinion they aren't needed.
Indigo
10-07-2004, 12:06 AM
Great! Thanks for your replies. I'm putting together an online order. Gonna get a couple sponges, a new heater (I don't like the one I've got) and probably some other stuff that I probably don't need ;)
Another great reason for using two sponges is if you suddenly need to start up a hospital tank, you've got a seeded spare sponge ready to go.