Fluval 305 Filter Options

joncairns

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I have a Fluval 305 and at the moment I have biomax in the bottom basket , charcoal in the middle and biomax in the top basket. I would like to know what sensible options I could try in the baskets.Looking at the kits available from Fluval I think they only contain biomax,charcoal,ammonia remover, however I have noticed people on the forums talking about poly wool and sponges and wondered if I could try these with the Fluval305 ?

I would welcome suggestions from other members and particularly which baskets to place the various media in.

Thanks.

Jon :good:
 
I would not run Floss in a Fluval unless it's a very low-waste tank. The tiny surface area of the baskets means that floss will clog fast if any reasonable amount of waste finds it's way into the filter. Fluvals aren't the easiest filters to work on IME, so I like to avoid touching them where ever possible, so don't like running media that makes them "high-maintenance".

Sponge can be bought under any generic brand and cut to fit. A medium-to-fine sponge will give slightly better mechanical filtration for minimal maintenance increases and may be a worth while addition :good:

Ammonia Remover is Zeolite, and a dangerous media to use in many situations. Unless the filter is to be used in a QT tank that required sterile conditions and no medications for some reason, I'd give that media a pass :good:

I personally wouldn't permanently run Charcoal, or Activated Carbon, as it requires very regular replacement to remain effective. It's done most it's reasonable work in the first 12 hours... After that it is effectively scrap unless you are going to add a lot more of what it's in to remove in the near future... I keep it on hand for if I ever need to remove medications or suspect poisoning for what ever reason though, it's good for that type of application :good:

Biomax is a good all round biological media. For a low-maintenance set-up, I'd use the four supplied sponges in the foam pre-frame and them all biomax in the other trays :good:
 
Thank you very much for your reply,it is most informative. I like the idea for slightly better mechanical filtration,so will look around for a suitable sponge and leave the rest of the trays with biomax.

One more question:

There are three trays in the filter,and each tray is divided into two compartments.If I go for sponge which tray should I put it in,and should I use both compartments, or just one.

Many thanks,

Jon :good:
 
I'd put the sponge in the bottom tray, both compartments, to avoid fouling the bio-media above it :good:

HTH
Rabbut
 
That's excellent thank you.I have ordered some medium and fine sponge,which I will cut to shape the bottom basket,and use biomax in all the others.Thank you for your advice it is invaluable.
 

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