What media should I use?

[pianeon]

Howdy,

I'm going to be using a Fluval 304 filter and I have no media yet. This thing has 3 different compartments for media, and I'm not sure what should go in each one. It's going to be freshwater with mostly cichlids. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

 

[Watcher74]

In my Fluval 204 I keep Bio-Max rings in the top two media baskets for bio-filtration and filter floss in the bottom media basket. Every couple of weeks I replace the floss and rinse out the sponges. It has worked well for me.

 

[Lazersniper]

I would definately suggest NOT buying the Fluval brand name stuff. It is extremely expensive compared to what you could put in there as an equal substitute. I have 2 Fluval 404s. I buy a 'generic' brand floss ($2.50) for the bottom layer. Next layer I have mesh bags with carbon. (Carbon is only needed if you need to remove chemicals and oders, I have it in there because I never took it out and now it's bio-filteration) Then the final 2 I use for bio-filteration. In these final two you could put anything from legos to Fluval's Bio-Max. I personally think there are cheaper stuff out there to put in the filters that work just the same if not better.

 

[acefred]

I just went to a fluval 304 and run carbon in the bottom.....Biomax in the middle and a combination of amrid and nitrazorb in the top.........I buy generic (cheaper carbon and amrid) and line the compartments with floss to keep the media from floating around and to increase bio levels and filtration.........Works great so far other than this neew filter (had a 204) seems to push so much water that I have fine bubbles throughout the tank that make it look "cloudy"....................

 

[Dub-Dub]

Hmmmmm maybe that is what my haziness is... tiny bubbles?

I have another thread open about my 29g and a 204.