Filter Media - Advice

C

cove

Cove1
Oct 13, 2010
15
0
0
Canada
Hi, I have a Fluval 404 Cannister filter with 4 baskets on a 80G tank. I am wondering what is the best way to set this up with the correct media. I was thinking of using the following:
1. Top basket - Fluval Biomax
2. Fluval Carbon
3. Fluval Ammonia remover
4. Lowest basket - Filter floss.

Wld this be appropriate? In my tank I have 2 angles, 2 bala sharks, 2 opline gouramis, 2 femal mixed swords, 1 male sword, 12 caridnal tetras, 1 male betta, 1 clown loach, 2 dojo loaches, 2 juhii catfish , 3 Otos.

My ammonia is zero, Nitrite is zero, pH is 7.5, but my nitrate is high..just over 80..but i cannot seem to get this down. I check the nitrat ein my tapwater and it is at zero. I make tap water safe before adding to the tank.
 
Which direction does the Fluval 404 pump the water? If I recall correctly, my canisters all pump the water to the bottom of the filter and send the water through the baskets from bottom to top. If the Fluval does the same, I'd switch the order that you've got those in and make the filter floss the last thing it goes through. I would do some sort of pre-filter rings or something on the bottom (assuming it flows the same way mine do), then carbon (if you want it), I'd skip the ammonia remover and put a blue bonded pad or some scrubbies in there, and then the filter floss. JMO of course. :)
 
Thanks for the reply. I just read the manual. The intake stem draws the water and then passes through the foam screen frame. It then flows under the 1st media basket and journeys upwards to the next basket and so on. The pump draws the water upwards.
Hope this helps.
 
rainbowcharmer said:
Which direction does the Fluval 404 pump the water? If I recall correctly, my canisters all pump the water to the bottom of the filter and send the water through the baskets from bottom to top. If the Fluval does the same, I'd switch the order that you've got those in and make the filter floss the last thing it goes through. I would do some sort of pre-filter rings or something on the bottom (assuming it flows the same way mine do), then carbon (if you want it), I'd skip the ammonia remover and put a blue bonded pad or some scrubbies in there, and then the filter floss. JMO of course. :)
Click to expand...

:iagree: Especially about skipping the ammonia remover.
 
The ammonia remover and even the carbon are not strictly necessary to have in there all the time. The order you have the others in is correct. I would replace those 2 with more floss and more biomax. So from the bottom to top: floss, floss, Biomax, Biomax. The carbon will work as a biological media though so if you want to leave it in that would be fine.
 
Rings on the bottom aren't strictly necessary on the fluvals as before the water gets to the floss it must go through the sponge at the side that will filter out the large stuff. I have gone well over a month between cleanings with no reduced flow using that setup.
 
Pre filter rings in the bottom tray you could do carbon and the ammonia remover in the next tray since the trays are divided. The next two I would use Biomax in with a layer of filter floss on to of the last tray. The extra biomax is great especially when you need to setup a new tank. I run my 304 this way. Bottom pre-filter next two biomax. Goodluck and make sure you lube the o-ring so it seals.
 
It sounds in order to me. I would take out ammonia remover and carbon. Use carbon if you've medicated then remove after wards. I would do another of bio rings and floss
 
I use Eheims and here's what I use.

water in --> coarse pad --> bio media (Seachem matrix) --> fine pad --> micron pad --> Purigen --> water out

My fish look like they are swimming in the air. IME, carbon and ammo removing media are a waste of $$ and basket space.
 
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