I just bought a FilStar XP2 canister filter - I recently converted my 45g to real plants and I want to move the HOB filters I have on the tank to another tank and use the canister on the 45g - and I'm wondering if anyone has opinions on the best media to use.
I know that with a heavily planted tank I won't build up as much of a bacterial colony as I would with just fish, but I'd still like to be using something high-quality.
The place I bought the filter told me that there was bio-media in the box, turns out there's mechanical (sponges) and chemical (basically carbon) but their 'bio chem star' media isn't included. So now I'll be going back to the store to get biological media and I wondered what's best to use in a canister - should I stick with the FilStar 'stars', or is there something different I should consider?
Here's the product description:
"Bio-Chem Stars are a biological filtration medium that provides a substrate for the optimal growth of beneficial bacteria. Their internal pore structure is formed under a patented process that creates a 50-70 micron internal pore network. This pore size is optimal for the growth of beneficial bacteria, including nitrifying bacteria that remove toxic ammonia and nitrite. It also allows the best oxygen and water transfer through the star, which keeps bacterial colonies healthy and active. Because of this complete internal colonization, Bio-Chem Stars are the most efficient biological filter medium"
I know that with a heavily planted tank I won't build up as much of a bacterial colony as I would with just fish, but I'd still like to be using something high-quality.
The place I bought the filter told me that there was bio-media in the box, turns out there's mechanical (sponges) and chemical (basically carbon) but their 'bio chem star' media isn't included. So now I'll be going back to the store to get biological media and I wondered what's best to use in a canister - should I stick with the FilStar 'stars', or is there something different I should consider?
Here's the product description:
"Bio-Chem Stars are a biological filtration medium that provides a substrate for the optimal growth of beneficial bacteria. Their internal pore structure is formed under a patented process that creates a 50-70 micron internal pore network. This pore size is optimal for the growth of beneficial bacteria, including nitrifying bacteria that remove toxic ammonia and nitrite. It also allows the best oxygen and water transfer through the star, which keeps bacterial colonies healthy and active. Because of this complete internal colonization, Bio-Chem Stars are the most efficient biological filter medium"
