Hand-Me-Down Fluval 204 And Its Media

[CrustyOnEastCoast]

I just got a used Fluval 204 Canister Filter from someone. It hasn't been used in an aquarium for over a month .. so I figured there was no beneficial bacteria to try to save so I took it all apart and cleaned all its parts with a brand new toothbrush and tap water. It had all this media inside of it (for each of the up to 4 media compartments). A bag of carbon. I guess I should throw that out (the carbon, but save the bag). An additional floss pad. I think I will throw that out. 4 large red/brown sponges/pads for the main mechanical filtration of the filter Structurally, they seem to be in good shape, so I rinsed them out (saw a lot of poop, etc come out) and will let them air-dry.

Can I re-use the 4 main large sponges/pads for my aquarium or should I buy new ones?

Now, Fluval Pre-Filter and Fluval Bio-Max look a lot alike, right? I think they were both all mixed together throughout 2 media compartments. I can't tell them apart (just because I'm ignorant).

I am guessing that the ones that look porous all the way through are the biomax and the other ones are the pre-filter?

If so, I wonder why the previous owner mixed them both together throughout the same same compartments?. And he also had the extra floss pad at the top instead of at the bottom where I would expect it .. Anyway ..

Can I re-use the pre-filter media or should I buy new? (structurally they look good)?

Can I re-use the biomax media or should I buy new (structurally it looks good).

One last question .. the tubes for the filter look ugly (just because there is algae inside of them). Is there a clever, safe for the fish, way to clean them out?

Thanks!

 

[ctsv510]

The sponges should be fine, you are right about the pre-filter and biomax (biomax is more porous). You should be able to use this as well as long as it isn't falling apart. The floss is supposed to go at the top because it's the last filtering ("polishing") before the water goes back into the aquarium.

The hose you can soak in a mild bleach/water solution and use anything around the house that would work to give the inside a little scrub. I used a pipe cleaner attached to a rigid dowel so I could push and pull it back and forth inside the hose to loosen the gunk. Rinse it out over and over again to make sure you get any trace of bleach out and you should be good.

 

[minnnt]

Sounds like you have a great little filter there!! As said, as long as the media isn't falling to bits then it will be good to go. Are your running it along side an existing filter until it cycles?

 

[CrustyOnEastCoast]

Are your running it along side an existing filter until it cycles?

No. I'm gearing up to set up a new aquarium (35 U.S. gallon) ... and so I will plan to use this filter as the primary and only filter for that aquarium... (I'll do a full fishless cycle). The filter is rated to handle up to 40 U.S. gallons. Hopefully this one filter will be enough for me if I don't overstock? Borderline, I guess?

I guess I'll put Pre-Filter only in the bottom chamber, and either the bio-max or some new Seachem Matrix which I already have(the bio-media product not the carbon product by the same company with the same name) in the other two chambers. Is water polishing really necessary? Seems it will just clogs things up and slow the filter down too often. Any specific recommendations for how to stratify the media? Is what I suggest good? My tap water stinks ... 2ppm ammonia from the chloramines, 8.0 Ph, moderately hard water.

 

[minnnt]

The filter will be fine for your sized tank

As for the floss, it isn't neccessary, but it is a great product as it really does collect all the fine particles from the tank if kept clean. I usually rinse my external filters once a month which is sufficient enough to keep them running in optimal condition.

My 305 is setup something like this:

Ceramic Rings

Ceramic Rings + Sponge

Sponge + Sponge

Sponge + Filter Floss

Your tap water should be great for cycling a filter then. lol. I would definately recommend Seachem Prime as your dechlorinator, excellent stuff and lasts ages! 0.25ml per 10 litres of water!!