When Media Do You Use In Your Penguin Bio Wheel 350?

[Rick]

What media do you use in this filter? I am hearing about filter floss and wool but am wondering what my options are for this filter as far as media goes. Something other than the cartridges it takes. Thanks.

 

[RandyK47]

I'm far from an expert but a little over a week ago I changed out the carbon media in my Magnum H.O.T. with SeaChem Matrix. I run an Emperor 280 on the same tank (37 gallon tall show tank) but because it's cichlids I wanted just a little more filtration. Anyhow, so far so good and as of this morning the tank is excellent. I didn't change the pre-filter on the intake or the sponge sleeve in the Magnum so there was more than sufficient bacteria to get the Matrix populated. I know it'll take several more days (a few weeks?) for the Matrix to completely mature but so far no problem. I have a Magnum 350 I'm not using right now but if I ever decide to bring it on line on another tank I'd have no problem going with the Matrix or a similar product in the media basket. My goal was, and would be on another tank, to supplement my bio-wheels and I get sufficient chemical filtration from them with inserts. I also wanted to reduce my maintenance time and I'm thinking I can leave the H.O.T. running for a number of months without doing much of anything. I've read here that several folks cram the media basket with floss, which is OK too, but more work in terms of maintenance than I want to do. I love taking care of my fish but I also play golf, work, take care of my lawn, my house and my pool....not to mention paying some attention to my wife....so anything that can do the job and save me time.