Best Filter Set Up

[seeley82]

Guys, Just a quick one. What is the best way of setting up the trays in an external filter, I have the Eheim ecco pro 2 and in my trays I have the bio in the top and mech in the bottom tray. Is there any real way of getting the most out of it.

 

[IcQb]

I'd say as much mechanical filtration/chemical (if used) filtration as possible

Do yo also have an internal filter? I'd stuff that with biological media.


i run mechanical media from larger pores to smaller pores
in to out:
f.e.g.: Filter wool (loose)
rough spunge
...
small pore spunge
any chemical stuff
maybe more filter wool for polishing

 

[seeley82]

No I have 2 ex running both have bio and chem in them with floss for polishing, I took the charcoal out a while back as some threads on here say that unless you are using meds then its useless, or something like that lol, the only reason for asking the question was how can I get my water to be the best quality it can be (with out stating the obvious). I have been at the hobby for some 18 months now so I still have a whole world to learn.

 

[IcQb]

I think you managed to pick up quite a lot in 18 months ^^
although we're all still learning!

All active carbon does is take up chemicals

So yes, meds will be filtered. Also, carbon tends to release minute quantities of phosphate...

I looked up the standard filling of the Eheim ecco2;
I'd say load the two the same way.

from in to out:
The Eheim MECH pro (the plastic tubes), maybe with some very loose extra filterwool first to trap larger particles
Biomedia (substrate pro) one or two trays even (could also be fine spunge)
chemical, if you want (purigen, phosphate out, etc)

end up with some filter wool to polish (alhtough I never do this)


Few months ago i bought a JBL e1500...
I took out the two trays with bio-ceramic balls and replaced them with blue spunges (tip: sometimes you can buy large mats of these blue spunges (1m x 1m) in the aquarium/pond shop = WAY cheaper!, just cut to size)
first; coarse blue spunge, ceramic pipes and purigen, more blue spunge (normally purigen would go on top, but lack of room there

)

the leftover ceramic balls (micromec), I put in my internal filter (the one that came with the Juwel 450 aquarium)
I just took the worn-out nitrate removing spunge, cut out a large circle in the centre, took a nylon sock from the missus and filled it with the micromec.
now my internal filter is just:
(in to out)

loose filter wool,
coarse blue spunge
micromec (4 layers)
fine blue spunge

Filter away