Could i put gravel from my established tank into the bottom of the top basket? I have 10 biochem stars in them now, but they do not fill up the bottom compartment. Could i put a layer of gravel in there as well?
Rena Filstar XP2
- Thread starter StreetCypher
- Start date
I think a better alternative (I assume you're looking for biological filtration,) would be to use some Ehfisubstrat.
spartan, I assume you're asking if it would help to add cultured gravel to your filter to help seed the biochem stars, not just to use gravel as medium in your filter. Is that correct?
If yes, that's a fine idea. Gravel or any other substance colonized with nitrifying bacteria will do the most good in the filter. That's where they'll get the richest flow of food (ammonia and nitrite) and oxygen.
After a month or two, I'd probably remove the gravel and replace it with something less likely to compact in your filter tray. Ehfisubstrat, as has been mentioned, is a good choice, as are ceramic noodles or more stars.
Good luck,
Jim
If yes, that's a fine idea. Gravel or any other substance colonized with nitrifying bacteria will do the most good in the filter. That's where they'll get the richest flow of food (ammonia and nitrite) and oxygen.
After a month or two, I'd probably remove the gravel and replace it with something less likely to compact in your filter tray. Ehfisubstrat, as has been mentioned, is a good choice, as are ceramic noodles or more stars.
Good luck,
Jim
Yes. I would also go along with JSchmidt and eventually replace the gravel with something else. If your gravel is large (I know that's a relative thing) and uniform(as unlikely as it is), you don't have to worry about it compacting as much as smaller and/or less uniform sized gravel.
ah yes, cultures gravel.
i took some from my 20g and put it in a "nylon baggie" (butchered womens panty hose), flattened it out and placed it in my media basket. Its been there for about a week.
The biochem stars were in my HOB filter for one month before i put them in the cannister. I think that helped too. Thanks for the advice guys.
i took some from my 20g and put it in a "nylon baggie" (butchered womens panty hose), flattened it out and placed it in my media basket. Its been there for about a week.
The biochem stars were in my HOB filter for one month before i put them in the cannister. I think that helped too. Thanks for the advice guys.