Best Media To Use

[clivealive]

hi

was wondering what everyone thought about what filter media to use for general tropical tank ?
I have a eheim 2073 pro 350L, this filter has 3 sections and I use the following media:

Eheim Mech Pro Mechanical (Spiral Shapes)
Eheim bioMech Mechanical (flat stone like)
Eheim Substrat Pro (round)

can you get better?
whats the best value

ps anyone got one and know where in the filter i would place carbon/cleanwater etc

 

[fluttermoth]

I find either ceramic rings are sponges are best/cheapest/easiest.

There's no need for carbon or 'cleanwater', whatever the heck that is.

 

[hanny93]

I have substratePro and eheim mech (do you not think the substratPRo looks like Nesquick cereal? ) to be honest, any media like this is good. It doesnt need to be branded, but, as fluttermoth said, ceramic ring s are excellent because they allow for good water flow through the media, and have a very large surface area, as do bioballs.

Also, as fluttermoth said, you dont need carbon or 'clearwater'

 

[fluttermoth]

You can also use gravel, nylon pot scrubbers, or pond media; basically anything that's non-toxic and has a large surface area

 

[clivealive]

another question never 100% sure how much media i should change on filter clean.
clean filter every 3-4 months.
at the moment i change about 20% of media and rinse sponge (in tank water).

whats the best media money can buy lol

 

[fluttermoth]

You don't need to ever change any media, apart from if you're using a layer of filter floss as a mechanical medium that needs replacing every few months,

I've got sponges and ceramic rings that have been in almost constant use for 20/25 years and they're fine.

I have no idea what the best media money can buy is though!