What to fill in Canister

[ANIM4L]

I have a planted tank and I am getting rid of my penguin biowheel 330 and adding a rena xp3 cannister filter to the tank, plus i have a magnum 350 canister on it also. It is a 60 gallon tank. I was going to take out the carbon in the magnum because it isnt good for plants, and put in the micron cartrisge instead, to clear water fast. Does anyone know if it is bad to leave the micron in the filter?

My main question is what should i fill the rena xp 3 or 2 (havent decided, any ideas?) with instead of the carbon? I will keep the filter pads, but then i have 4 (xp2) or 6 (xp3) slots left for whatever i want. I can put in all bio balls or something to help out, but i am not sure if i want to, i may take 2 slots of bio, leaving me with 2-4 slots left. I know i can add peat, but i dont see why i would need to soften my water, unless anyone knows. Plus i dont know how often to changhe peat. Anyone else have any ideas on what to fill the cannister with, and also what to do with the magnum?

 

[andywg]

I would just throw extra bio-filtration in. You can never have too much and it always helps to have extra.

 

[ANIM4L]

ok, i may add extra, but what other options do i have??? Like peat i have no idea what it is good for, i know it softens water, but does that make my water better or what?

 

[Fish_Mike]

Well, it depends on what fish you have. Some fish like water with a lower ph, and others suffer from it. If you have a community tank, i'd stay away from the peat, but if you know where your fish live in the wild, (mostly south america) peat is a good idea, be warned, it releases tannins and will darken the water

Edit: actaully never mind what i said about the community. Peat releases many beneficial (natural) chemicals into the water so as long your fish don't mind acidic water, go for it!

 

[ANIM4L]

well i have co2 running that is bringing my water to a ph of about 7.2 so i dont really want it to change from that, but softer water i guess would be cool. ill look into it, anyone else have any ideas of what to fill my canister with?