Adding a second filter

[bigmixx]

I'm currently running an Emp 400 and will be adding another 400 in a couple of weeks. Currently, I'm using an Ammonia Reducer/Carbon mix and those Marineland filter pads. I'm a bit overstocked right now but my setup is working fine and I'd like to add some extra filtration now that the fish have some size. My question is what should I use for filter media in the second filter? I'd like something that will help keep the water clear and catch a lot of the smaller particles floating around in the water. Oh, I have a 75 gallon with 6 juvies with largest being 4 inches. The rest are 3 inches or less. (2 JD's, 2 GT's, 1 Con, 1 RD)

[XSeaNX]

with my emperors I run a double setup on my Arowana tank.

My setup is running a dual carbon filter in one and one carbon filter and filter media in the second. Ofcourse with established bio wheels the filter media isnt really needed. Depending on how much you want cost reduced you could just run 2 carbon filters in each. however if you are going with trying to establish a better bacteria colony Id run filter media/carbon filter in the new one youre setting up and double up on carbon filters on the already established filter. you can pick up pads/floss/etc. that you can custom cut to fit at almost every LFS so I would just check out what they have.

Also unless ammonia is a problem in your tank I would stop using the ammonia absorber as its not needed/waste of money. you should only really use those products in situations where levels go out of control and then only temporarily until the problem is fixed. using it on a normal basis is not going to help as most tanks with an established bio wheel should never read more than 0ppm of amm

Sean

[rohnds]

Continues use of NH3 absobers can kill your existing bacteria colony since these nirifier bacteria feed on NH3. And thus using NH3 absober, you are depriving the bacteria of their food source.

Rohn