The media is not included. Only the pre-filter sponge and post-filter sponge come with the filter. It is actually very important to have the top basket quite full as the post-filter sponge will fall apart if it isn't full. Regardless of the hype, the pre-filter works VERY well. I have run the filters for 3+ months without them needing a proper clean (where I clean the pre-filter, sponge and basket, on a weekly basis).
Because of the adjustable flow rate, it works well for smaller tanks too, although now that my fish are used to the considerably stronger flow rate compared to the previous filter, I have been turning up the flow from 1 (min) to 6 (max). The "cleaning" indicator is very accurate for "time to clean the whole filter" thing, but cleaning the pre-filter delays this.
The three baskets took about 6 litres of media in total. Because the flow is bottom to top, I have the following arrangement (from bottom up):
* lowest basket: 1ltr bio-balls and 1ltr smooth noodles
* middle basket: 1ltr porous noodles and 1ltr porous balls
* top basket: 2ltr porous balls (covered with the post-filter fine sponge)
I have tried a few different arrangements of media so far and this one is working best for me, although I dare say, there are infinite number of combinations you can try!
The cheapest I paid for the filter was €230, which is about £200. Do haggle, I used to work for an LFS so know that even at that we'd make a good profit!
BTW, it is officially the quietest filter I have ever come across
and oh yes, it does come with the pipes and fittings, just not the media..
And possibly my favourite feature is that it takes an polarised C7 connector for the transformer/power supply. This is very useful for me given that I move house and country moderately often (5 house moves in the last 5 years).
The only problem I did have was that the first 3e I bought was mis-assembled so that I needed to get a Torx T7 screwdriver to take the top apart and move the connector socket into place. This was not fun as I was installing the filter at 11pm while the old filter was breaking on me. I ended up having to stuff the media into some of the other filters and leaving the tank filter-less over night. Meh. At least since installing that one and getting a few more, all have worked flawlessly.
