Nitrate Foam Pad Needed?

[PudPud]

Hi,

After advice on here I have purchased ceramic media+bag and juwel fine filter sponge for the top, do I still need to add a nitrate foam pad too or will the ceramic rings sort that side of thing?

I have a Juwel 54L tank which will have 6-8 guppies, 3-4 small catfish and hopefully (although unlikely) a plec if I can find any type that don't get too big.

Thanks

 

[StandbySetting]

There's no need for a nitrate sponge, they don't work and the space is better used with other media, however, if you already have one in place just leave it as it is, bacteria will still colonise on it.

 

[colleen0309]

I'm not sure about the nitrate pad. The bio rings are for a place for your bacteria to grow. Do you have high nitrates? I was battling a nitrate problem for a long time. My problem is the nitrates out of my tap is high. Water changes from the tap don't do me much good. As for the pleco, bristlenose plecos stay fairly small, but they might even be too big for your tank.