Equipment Review and Discussion :: Filter Media Help

[PhilthyTurtle]

I just got a new Fluval 305 filter for my 60 gallon tank, and i was curious as to what i could use as media. I often read about it on the forums, but i never really knew what it all meant until today. My tank comes in tomorrow, and i planned on setting it up thursday!! I read that the carbon media can be a tad expensive and requires changing every two weeks, so are there any alternatives? Also, I'm not even sure what the difference is between the black pouches that came in my filter and the white circle rock things are. Can someone please help me out and explain this a little bit to me?

I hear bio and mechanical media all the way, but i dont really get what that means. Also, what exactly are mechanical filter pads and lava rock rubble.

[marisa]

Hi. There are three types of filtration media---mechanical media(sponges/pads), chemical media (mainly carbon) and biomedia (ceramic stars, cylinders, lava rock, etc.). Your filter sounds like it came with chemical media (carbon), and biomedia (the white circle rock things). This is somewhat surprising to me, since mechanical media is usually the media that's included with a filter. Anyway, if you don't have them, you need to get mechanical media. It should say in what mecanical media goes with your filter in the the filter's instructions.

You're right when you say that mechanical media and biomedia are the most important. Mechancial media (pads, sponges) catches larger waste and debris, while biomedia (rings, etc.) provides a surface for beneficial media to grow on.

Chemical media (carbon), can also be used; it's function is to remove some substances from the water, and in smaller tanks it can help with odor. It usually needs to be changed monthly, unless the filter instructions say otherwise. It's not absolutely necessary, however. The mechanical media and biomedia can be rinsed in tank water (to preserve beneficial bacteria) and used repeatedly.

Lava rock is one type of biomedia, the filter pads are mechanical media.

Some filters also have microfiltration pads as an optional media. They are used last in the order that media is placed to "polish" the water and give it a clearer look. (They are, however, not necessary.)

[PhilthyTurtle]

oh ok, well my filter has two large sponges and 3 canisters that have the media in it. Ill take a picture tomorrow and show you.

just wondering, from top to bottom which would be the first and last?

[TurtleKeeper48]

The mechanical filtration is a given - that's your sponge like filter insert.

You have 3 baskets. They are normally used for bio media and carbon - that's the manufacturers intent (they assume they have enough mechanical filtration with the normal insert) but if you find that you require more mechanical filtration, you can put some sort of mechanical filtration media (such as "filter floss") in a basket.

That's the great thing about these filters - you can really put whatever you want in whatever basket you want to suit your needs.

I am possibly in a minority in that I do use activated carbon.

I have a 405 - so I have 4 baskets. Bio media normally goes "last" (top).

I use carbon in my bottom two, and bio media (the round ceramic barrel things) in my top two baskets.

If I was you - I would try carbon in the bottom basket and bio media in the top two. Many others might prefer getting rid of the carbon all together, and possibly replacing it with filter floss or more bio media... I guess it would depend on if you are seeking more mechanical filtration, or more bio filtration (you'd probably base that on does you system cycle easily - if not, more bio.... and does your system filter particles well - if not, more mechanical)