What is in your Fluval baskets? Andf how long.

[Walker Anderson]

I got a Fluval 204 and started it up last night. I bought some media at the same time, not realizing it can with some. Now I have a ton of charcoal and the little white round things that look a tad like breakfast cereal.

What are you putting in your baskets and in what order? I used charcoal in the bottom, white thingys in the middle and charcoal in the top. Since this is also a 2nd filter on this tank, how often would you think I should have to change media, and is there a tell tell sign that its changing time?

Thanks

[maverick2402]

If you have a planted tank,like I believe you do,I would take the carbon out of the filter and replace it with Fluval prefilter media in place of the carbon then add the biorings in the middle that you already have.Then in the top basket put in some filter floss to polish the water.I change the floss every other week.

[Walker Anderson]

Thanks, yep the tank is planted, I will have to look for some of the floss. Didn't notice any at the store. I will see how things look inside after a week of running and hopefully get some floss by that time and adjust a little in the baskets.

[jugstah]

I haven't used charcoal in my 304 for the longest time. I have biorings in the bottom, lavarocks in the middle and floss in the top basket. My tank's beautiful.

[Jeromee]

Fluval 203, bioballs... planted tank, works out alright, sponge on the intake as a prefilter

[Flowerhorn916]

I have pre filter/ammonia/floss

[Aqualung]

I have pre filter/ammonia/floss

You have ammonia in your filter? :huh:

I run prefilter media and bio rings in my baskets.

[infidsg35]

Bio Rings <--- Top
---------
Carbon
---------
Purigen
---------
Polyfiber <--- Bottom

I have a lot of fish :)

[Dunluce2]

i have a Aqua pro 4 stage canister and i dont know is it is in reverse order for any reason but the instructions said bio-rings bottom, charcoal next, coarse filter sponge then fine filter sponge in the top. Very quiet. I was told to rinse the hell out of the charcoal before use. But other than that it had no maintenance instructions. Can i ask why you dont use carbon in a planted tank. Just for my information. And do you people have a maintenance routine for canisters. Whts the best way to clean the filters and bio rings.

Dunluce

[Jeromee]

i have a Aqua pro 4 stage canister and i dont know is it is in reverse order for any reason but the instructions said bio-rings bottom, charcoal next, coarse filter sponge then fine filter sponge in the top. Very quiet. I was told to rinse the hell out of the charcoal before use. But other than that it had no maintenance instructions. Can i ask why you dont use carbon in a planted tank. Just for my information. And do you people have a maintenance routine for canisters. Whts the best way to clean the filters and bio rings.

Dunluce

I rarely use carbon in any of my tanks, the reason why I expecially don't use it in my planted tank is because carbon will absorb micronutrients that plants need naturally to be healthy and grow. Honestly, in a healthy tank, theres no need for carbon.