Just Treated Myself To A Fluval 205 :)

[CezzaXV]

As the title says, ordered myself a Fluval 205 as I've become increasingly dissatisfied with the filter that came with my tank.

It's brand new and comes with media and all the bits, but since it's not gonna be here til next week, I'm wondering whether there's anything you think I should buy to go with it? It comes with carbon which I guess I don't wanna use - what would be a good alternative? Ceramic rings or something else?

Also, obviously I'll be transferring the media from my old filter into this new one. I'd heard that some of the bacteria grow on the filter wall and not just the media. Is there likely to be any affect on my cycle due to changing filters?

 

[Mowbz]

If your writing a shopping list, add 1 packat of every type of media thats included. (Minus the carbon of course!)

Fluval are notoriously stingy when it comes to providing new media with their filters, there is never enough!

 

[CezzaXV]

Cheers for the heads up. Is the official fluval media any better than 'generic' brands? I know my LFS sells generic filter media for much cheaper than the official stuff, but would I be wasting my money on it?

 

[orandas]

Try a mixture; since u already have the brand ones, get some generic - some of the generic ones are of good quality and comes in all shapes&sizes - even better increase surface area in my opinion. Some of the brand ones are old-style & less surface area for the bacteria.

get more of the bio balls, less likely to fall apart than the ceramic rings in the long term.

I fill my trays from half to three quarters full so as not to slow the flow rate down too much.

 

[Greg_DS]

Why not carbon??

 

[the_lock_man]

Why not carbon??

It is used to remove heavy metals from the water - but all decent dechlorinators do that anyway. After a couple of weeks, the carbon is saturated, and cannot take in any more, so it needs replacing very often = $$$$$$$$

Most people recommend keeping one in the cuboard, to remove medications (which are based on heavy metals) once the course of meds has been completed.

 

[Mowbz]

Cheers for the heads up. Is the official fluval media any better than 'generic' brands? I know my LFS sells generic filter media for much cheaper than the official stuff, but would I be wasting my money on it?

Aye, i wouldnt personally bother buying Fluval specific stuff, it it fits in the hole, it'll be fine! I would try to match the foam density, but other than that, buy what you wish!

 

[Greg_DS]

Why not carbon??

It is used to remove heavy metals from the water - but all decent dechlorinators do that anyway. After a couple of weeks, the carbon is saturated, and cannot take in any more, so it needs replacing very often = $$$$$$$$

Most people recommend keeping one in the cuboard, to remove medications (which are based on heavy metals) once the course of meds has been completed.

I see, thanks.

I have a Fluval 305 with 3 bags in it, should I replace them with something else?? I have a box of "Eheim Substrat Pro" that I was given, would that be OK??

 

[Tizer]

Why not carbon??

It is used to remove heavy metals from the water - but all decent dechlorinators do that anyway. After a couple of weeks, the carbon is saturated, and cannot take in any more, so it needs replacing very often = $$$$$$$$

Most people recommend keeping one in the cuboard, to remove medications (which are based on heavy metals) once the course of meds has been completed.

I see, thanks.

I have a Fluval 305 with 3 bags in it, should I replace them with something else?? I have a box of "Eheim Substrat Pro" that I was given, would that be OK??

That would be ideal yes.

 

[the_lock_man]

I'd suggest replacing one of the three for the Eheim every 2-3 weeks - the carbon will also allow bacteria to grow, so you could be taking too much bacteria out if you change all 3 in one go.

 

[mtbdean]

205's are brillaint, Im running one. Also, any filter media goes in there! Im running a few different brands

 

[Greg_DS]

Thanks for the advise guys and sorry to high-jack your thread CezzaXV

 

[Liam2368]

Replace the carbon with Seachem purigen