flulval 404 filter media

[Drekkyk]

I currently have the media that came with the filter in. (4 carbon bags, 4 bio circle thingy's) The tank is in it's begining cycle stages. What is best to do with the carbon? I was thinking of just leaving it in as a bio bag of sorts. Or should I replace with more of the circular thingys that are in my top baskets? Should I consider polishing floss? (What is the deal with this stuff anyway?) I'm also running an Aquaclear 110/500 on this tank. I'm planning on removing the carbon bag from this filter and just using a second sponge. Thanks for any advice!!

[bzboy]

How big is your tank? What do you have in your tank? How is your water quality? Any tests done? We can start from there :joe:

[Drekkyk]

Thanks for asking!!

It is a 110H tank with 10 barbs to fishy cycle. 3rd day of cycle.

Temp = 80
ph = 6.8
Alk = 80
Hard = 120
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = 0
Ammonia = < .25 but not 0


Thanks!

Drekkyk

*note I didnt get the barbs just to cycle, I'm planning on having 20-30 of them :)

[bzboy]

Thanks for info. I too have a fluval 404 with 2 emperor 400 for a 90 gallon tank. There should be 4 containers (divided in half) inside the fluval. 2 containers i put the white tubes in - 1 bag in each side.. Those are for your good bacteria to grow on. the other 2 containers i put the carbon bags in. What i did with mine was cut the top of each carbon bag enough so that i could replace them in the future with fresh carbon or any other stuff as needed.

I'm no expert. I'm just telling you what i did. I've had my tank now for over 2 yrs now. my orandas and ryukins are giant and happy :joe: hope this helps. you'll be happy with your fluval and good luck with your tank

[Drekkyk]

Wow, 2 emps 400 and a flulval 404? That's a lot of filtration. The round things that I have did not have a bag, just the carbon did. If you go to replace the carbon, it should come in a new bag. From what I read, carbon isn't really needed, but thought I would keep it after it's expectancy is over just for the bacteria. Then again, it might be better to replace it with stuff that is more sutible for bacteria, ie...the round thingys. :)

Drekkyk

[bzboy]

I always buy a big jar of carbon like this http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0079&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032116&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1139370395917

Cheaper but doesnt come with a filter bag. Carbon cleans up any bad odors, some chemicals from your water but doesnt last too long. Yeah the round thingys are more important i think

[YoFishboy]

I use a fluval 404 on a 75 g with some south american cichlids in it, along with an internal fluval filter. I use the ceramic bio-beads in the 2 top baskets and filter floss in the bottom 2. I occasionally use charcoal to clarify or remove odors, but I usually only leave it in for 2-4 weeks.

[Dolfan]

Here's a few other options just to confuse you more, j/k....
I use a carbon and zeolite blend called Diamond Blend made by Marineland. It works pretty good, carbon(as mentioned above) removes odors and some other bad organic "stuff", but the zeolite removes ammonia. The stuff is really cheap, $8 for a 54oz cont. at bigals. You may not want to use it until your tank is fully cycled as you may need the ammonia. I think it is really good for chemical filtration, good combo effect. Only lasts for about 3-4 weeks though.
Another option is bio media like Seachem's Matrix. I've heard a lot of good things about this stuff. Its a smallish rock with tons of small "pores" all throughout the "gravel". Tons of beneficial bacteria will colonize there. They say you can rinse the stuff periodically and not destroy the bio colony as much of the bacteria are inside the rocks. It's also pretty cheap at $8 for 1 liter. It lasts forever, never needs replacing. I've also heard of ppl using plastic pot scrubby things. Cram 5 or 6 of them into a basket, get them at the Dollar Store. This works as sort of a mechanical and a biofilter. Whatever you decide doing, good luck and check out bigalsonline.com, super cheap prices.