What kind of media do you use in your canister filters?

[sophiecat22]

I'm just curious as to what different combinations of filter media everyone uses in their tanks. I was also thinking that this could be helpful to people just starting out with their first canister filter and are trying to figure out what type of media they should use.

Make sure you list which type of canister filter you use and your tanks specs if they aren't already in your sig.

 

[phanmc]

50g long heavily planted tank

Eheim 2026 Professional II - standard setup
Bottom tray contains Eheim Ehfimech, ceramic cylinders for mechanical filtration
A sponge pad covers the tray
Top tray contains Eheim Ehfisubstrat, sintered glass granules used for biological filtration
A filter floss pad covers that tray.


Livestock:
Pair of german blue rams
4 honey gouramis
6 redline barbs
10 cardinal tetras
6 otos
7 marbled cories
1 peppermint pleco

 

[sophiecat22]

Ceramic cylinders for mechanical filtration? I thought that they were used for biological filtration.

 

[DeRo316]

Rena Filstar XP3
stage1-filterfloss/Rena black filter pad
stage2-carbon/crushed coral
stage3-crushed coral/bio balls

 

[Toirtis]

Eheims, Cascades, and Fluvals....just sponges, filterpads, and ceramic media.

 

[phanmc]

Ceramic cylinders for mechanical filtration? I thought that they were used for biological filtration.

There are two types, the Eheim Ehfimech is not porous and would be poor for biological filtration. It's used to trap large particles and create better water flow through the filter.

The cylinders used in Fluval look similar but are porous and are used for biological filtration.

 

[Rbishop]

Mag 350s. Carbon/filter sleeve in one, filter sleeve and ceramics in the other, on all the tanks that have two of them. On tanks with only one, filter sleeve and carbon.

 

[wesleydnunder]

125g planted discus:
mag 350 w/sponge sleeve and ceramic
eheim 2217 w/ course sponge,ceramics and fine sponge
both have pre-filtered intakes and are for biological filtration.
pre-filters are cleaned twice weekly and are mech filtration

55g n. Pulcher colony
Standard ugf w/ aquaclear 303 ph
aquaclear 300 w/ pre-filtered intake (fry protection) and 2 sponges in filter

20g angel breeder
2) air driven sponge filters

20g pearl gourami breeder
standard air-driven ugf

grow-outs have air-driven sponge filters

Mark

 

[blkwdw13]

Ehiem 2026 - ne tray of filters pads and one tray mini lava rocks