5 Compartments In My Filter Tray

[MermaidMel]

I have enough established filter wool and sponge and bio-rings from my other 2 tanks to fit 4 compartments out of the 5 on the new one

I've been told to use bio-balls too, so where should I put everything and in what order?

Bearing in mind I can fill 4 of the 5 compartments with established media, would these go in the 1st 4 or last 4 compartments, or 2 either side of the middle compartment? and which compartment do I put my balls in?

 

[Colin_T]

you don't have to use bioballs in the filter. I just use filter sponges.

 

[MermaidMel]

you don't have to use bioballs in the filter. I just use filter sponges.

OK ta, but seeing as my rings hold much established bacteria, I may as well use that too just wondering if you would be better to have the 1 compartment of new media at the beginning, the end, or the middle of the tray?

 

[Colin_T]

it doesn't make much difference where the established media goes. Put it in the middle so the bacteria can spread up and down in the filter. If you have noodles from an established tank then use them because they will get the filter going real quick.

 

[pauly]

Does this help?

1 Tetra Tec Ceramic Filter Rings reliably remove large particles; reusable several times

2 Tetra Tec BF Biological Filter Foam reliably removes medium-sized particles. Highly active biological filtration

3 Tetra Tec Bio Filter Balls : highly active biological filtration, with macro surface

4 Tetra Tec CF Carbon Filter Medium reliably removes organic contaminants, reduces odours and yellowing of the water

5 Tetra Tec FF Filter Floss Pad reliably removes tiny particles, polishing the water. Easy to replace

 

[Miss Wiggle]

in terms of where the established bacteria are it really doesn't matter. you should look at the way the water flows through, first compartment the water comes in to should have something like thick sponge to catch most of the gunk and debris, then have things like bio balls, rings etc after that, then last put filter floss or something like that to catch any fine particles before it goes back into the tank

 

[MermaidMel]

in terms of where the established bacteria are it really doesn't matter. you should look at the way the water flows through, first compartment the water comes in to should have something like thick sponge to catch most of the gunk and debris, then have things like bio balls, rings etc after that, then last put filter floss or something like that to catch any fine particles before it goes back into the tank

Thank you that does help

Does this help?

1 Tetra Tec Ceramic Filter Rings reliably remove large particles; reusable several times

2 Tetra Tec BF Biological Filter Foam reliably removes medium-sized particles. Highly active biological filtration

3 Tetra Tec Bio Filter Balls : highly active biological filtration, with macro surface

4 Tetra Tec CF Carbon Filter Medium reliably removes organic contaminants, reduces odours and yellowing of the water

5 Tetra Tec FF Filter Floss Pad reliably removes tiny particles, polishing the water. Easy to replace

And this does too, it's like filters for idiots, of which I am one, cheers love

 

[MojoDex]

you don't have to use bioballs in the filter. I just use filter sponges.

i feel that this is a horrible bit of advice and very misleading.

bio balls are bio media and harbour benficial bacteria far better than a sponge ever could i would implore you to use them

 

[Colin_T]

I'm not going to use bioballs or biospheres or anything else along those lines. I use sponges because they have a huge surface area and they can trap and hold sediment. Which is something bioballs can't do very well (trap sediment).

It doesn't mean other people shouldn't use them. If people have them then use them by all means. However, I am not going out and wasting a heap of money buying them to replace sponges that are doing a good job.

 

[MojoDex]

i think you will find bioballs are generaly cheaper than sponges for a start!

the main clue about them being useful is in the name BIO balls they hold more bacteria than any sponge ever could, do you reallly think people would bother with them if a sponge held more? the surface area of a sponge is very low when compared to an amount of bio balls taking up the same space. also your not meant to just use bio balls they are used in conjunction with sponges and they catch the sediment letting the bio balls do there work afterwards.

i stand by my original comment either way

 

[jgray152]

^ Agree.

Spungs are not designed for bacterial growth. If your using spungs for bacterial growth and also using them to catch sediment, guess what happends the bacteria when you clean the spung?

 

[pauly]

Spungs are not designed for bacterial growth. If your using spungs for bacterial growth and also using them to catch sediment, guess what happends the bacteria when you clean the spung?

What's a spung?

 

[dizzied]

What's a spung?

A 2002 Swedish television series starring Tommy Andersson.

 

[MojoDex]

^ Agree.

Spungs are not designed for bacterial growth. If your using spungs for bacterial growth and also using them to catch sediment, guess what happends the bacteria when you clean the spung?

me and jgray agree on something finally! just dont mention fluval or eheim

 

[Colin_T]

me and jgray agree on something finally! just dont mention fluval or eheim

fluvals are better, cheaper too