Cannister bio filter

[scott]

I am going to be using a fluval 404 as the biofilter on my 150 and was wondering if I should fill all of the baskets with the ceramic bio noodle thingys (I think thats the technical term) or should I use some carbon? I am going to use two AC 500 for mechanical and I think I will use one & half foam blocks, should I put carbon in there? I think I will also add either one large or two medium powerheads with quick filters. Thanks!

 

[BK]

why do you figure you need carbon?

 

[scott]

I am starting to see the use for carbon less and less and lately have been wondering why to use it at all except to "polish the water". That is why I am wondering if I should bother putting it in the canister or maybe just put a bag in the AC. Sorry if I wasn't specific.

 

[Sumpin'fishy]

I'd put two full foam blocks in each AC and just remove one as needed for any carbon.

 

[scott]

Thanks sumpinfishy I will. How about the canister? Just fill it with thingys? Do you use carbon?

 

[JSchmidt]

Filling your canister with only bioballs or ceramic noodles will give you a great, low-maintenance biofilter. Here's a link to a good article on this practice:

http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cannister.html

Using the ACs primarily for mechanical filtration is a good idea, too.

Jim

 

[scott]

Thank you very much for the link JSchmidt. That was exactly what I needed to know. It's nice to have an idea in your head and be able to get feedback on how to perfect it. Thanks everyone.

 

[JimG]

I use biostars in one of my canister filter's slots for my biological filtration. According to the manufacturer 1 star will effectively filter 5 gal of water, I have a 55gal and 24 stars fit in the canister slot. I confess I still use carbon, probably mostly because I just always have but people are beginning to talk me into not using it all the time. There is a company - SeaChem - which has a media product called "Matrix" which I have been told about and am thinking of filling my entire viaflow canister with.

 

[scott]

I have seen the matrix on the shelf but have never picked it up and read it. What does it do?

 

[hineigger]

I use a Fluval 404 as BIO ONLY.

Its filled to the brim in bio things. Not bio balls, but the coarse stuff... Like cylinder type things.. Its actually better than BIO balls, much more surface area all together.

Anyways, its BIO only. So I NEVER open it up. I have a filter attached to the intake tube for mechanical filtration, so I just pop that off and replace it whenever.

I dont use chemical filtration, but sometimes I will for the hell of it. In this case I just put this little add on thingy I have onto one of my opwerheads and fill it with carbon. But thats rare...