Fluval 405 Biomedia

J

Junky123

AC Members
Oct 23, 2006
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Orange County - CA
Quick question:

What are the most effective biomedia I can use in the biobaskets? Right now, it comes with two baskets of biomax/rings and two baskets of activated carbon.

Thanks all.
 
I have the same filter and I love it. Anyways I would use bio balls and what's called a polishing pad. The polishing pad from fluval takes the fine particles out of the water to help maintain crystal clear water. I just got mines so I am also trying to find the best configuration. Good Luck
 
Where can I finfd more information about this bioballs and polishing pads?

Thanks


number1sixerfan said:
I have the same filter and I love it. Anyways I would use bio balls and what's called a polishing pad. The polishing pad from fluval takes the fine particles out of the water to help maintain crystal clear water. I just got mines so I am also trying to find the best configuration. Good Luck
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the link.

I did a search on "Fluval" and found Pre-filter/Ceramic Ring used to capture large particle. My guess that I could make the following arrangement from top to bottom:

Basket 1 = Polishing Pad
Basket 2 = Biomax
Basket 3 = Biomax
Bastket 4 = Ceramic Ring

I am not sure if it's all necessary but I want whatever best for the fish and secondly, for my thin wallet, which's getting thinner after I bought the new tank.

Thanks
 
Well that arrangement confuses me a bit - according to Fluval, Bio-Max IS a ceramic ring - so it looks like you're doing the same thing in 3 baskets!?

Slightly off topic, but the manufacture says to replace ceramic rings every 3 months. Is this really needed, or just hype from the mfg to increase sales? I ask because I have been running my Fluval 304 for almost two years without replacing - just rinsing... What say you??

What is everyone's opinion on the charcoal packets in the filters? Yeah or nay? Some say it's only for after medications have been used, some say use it all the time, 'specially if you have fry in the tank, others... I am confused and if anyone doesn't mind me asking this question here, I sure would appreciate some guidance.. I've not used polishing pads before, but I think I will now.
 
I'm going to buy a box of that biomax to see what the difference is I think :) It does look a lot like the ceramic rings I use, but thicker. Perhaps it has a more open structure.

In a similar filter, I use...

1: poly matting
2: ceramic rings (good surface area, but may block)
3: open cell-pore bricks (less area, but not likely to block)
4: bio balls (not much area, but non-blocking backup area)

edit - The open cell-pore brick
open-pore.jpg
 
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Junky123 - my bad - there is a difference, though the darn catalog makes them sound like the same thing. I'm embarrassed that I said anything. So you think the bottom basket should have the "prefilter ceramic", then the middle two with biomax ceramic, then top has polishing pad?

I've taken out the carbon in my top two, but only had sponge to put in it's place. At least the cloudiness has cleared up. Any other suggestions on media use and placement from anyone else? I would appreciate the guidance.
 
Don't worry - I have little experience at the moment. I am sure we both try to provide a good environment for our fish.

After reading through the manual, here is my conclusion (top to bottom):

Basket one = Biomax
Basket Two = Biomax
Basket Three = Polishing Pad/Pre-filter
Basket Three = Polishing Pad

I am leaning toward two Polishing pads in the bottom baskets since the Pre-filter costs twice as much. When I started this thread, my primary goal is to see if I could use some cheap, alternative filter medias but have the same effects compared to the Fluval stuff.


saganco said:
Junky123 - my bad - there is a difference, though the darn catalog makes them sound like the same thing. I'm embarrassed that I said anything. So you think the bottom basket should have the "prefilter ceramic", then the middle two with biomax ceramic, then top has polishing pad?

I've taken out the carbon in my top two, but only had sponge to put in it's place. At least the cloudiness has cleared up. Any other suggestions on media use and placement from anyone else? I would appreciate the guidance.
Click to expand...
 
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