What Filter Media?

[arabballin]

Im getting a 60 gallon mbuna tank on thursday and i decided i want to cycle it all over again and have my filter running nice and new. I am probably going to get some filter media from a friend to help me along so i took advantage and cleaned out the whole filter.

My question is what media should i put in it?

I already have filter fiber for the mechanical filtration, but i want to know what else to put in for chemical and bio filtration. I was thinking a mix of carbon, bio ball (or what ever is best for bio filtration) and crushed coral so i can get my ph a tad higher.

What should i do?

 

[Spooky76]

It all depends what you need to do. The balls are great for culturing bacteria, but they dont filter well. I think some fine pads and some coarse pads are good. Active carbons always good for impurities and I always run zeolite in my filter as it helps with ammonia etc. Only problem is they remove meds from the water.

If you think how well a juwel filter works and they only have pads in them....I dont think balls are necessary unless your running 2 filters, one for biological and one for mechanical, then you never really clean out the biological one and just change the pads on the mechanical every few weeks.

 

[arabballin]

I was thinking since i want a power filter to work alongside my canister ill get the power filter for bio filtration and get something with a bio wheel and then ill leave my canister for mechanical. Then ill also put stuff for chemical filtration like
this

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=3604.

in the canister.

Good idea or can it be improved?

 

[arabballin]

also, if i get crushed coral to raise and stabilize my ph, can i put it together with the carbon in the same media bad?

 

[Tobigara]

from what i've just learned it might be better if you use the power filter for mechanical and canister for biological and chemical. Power filters often have a higher flow rate so they tend to suck more in than canisters. canisters put the water thru the filters slower so the biological media has more time to do it's job. i hope this helpsfrom what i've just learned it might be better if you use the power filter for mechanical and canister for biological and chemical. Power filters often have a higher flow rate so they tend to suck more in than canisters. canisters put the water thru the filters slower so the biological media has more time to do it's job. i hope this helps

 

[grimmy]

I like dimand blend or ammo chips

 

[arabballin]

yea i decided to use diamond blend but i cant actually put it in until my cycle is done.

 

[Musho3210]

if you put it in after your cycle is done thats just as bad. Your bacteria is all ready, then you use a substitute for your bacteria, and some (not all) of your bacteria starves. home grown Bacteria is a lot cheaper than ammo chips etc IMO. Its great to have on hand though in case of an emergency but for regular use, i dont think its worth it.

 

[arabballin]

you have a very good point there, does anyone have any opinions on that last comment?