Did I Just Get Scammed By The Lfs?

[KrystaK]

So filters have never been my strong point as far as knowing what's required. Case in point, I have a Fluval 306 on a 30 gal tank (It's rates for 70 gal) I figured the more the better  
 
So when buying media for it the guy said I needed Biomax, now it says on the box that is supports good bacteria. Doesn't the bacteria grow on EVERY surface of the inside of the filter? Does this stuff really help it grow any more or did I just get scammed an extra 10$?

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

It just means that it is a porous media with more room for bacteria to grow. All media states it will support good bacteria. And pretty much everything except the filter floss/polyester will be covered in bacteria

 

[pheo]

Well imho all the media in your filter ie sponges floss bio balls u name it, all hold bacteria.iv never even heard of the product you discribe and i honestly think u dont need it. Could be wrong but iv allways done well with just the media in my filter baskets. Pld school of you like

 

[ShinySideUp]

You don't NEED Biomax, it's just another medium for bacteria growth.
 
I have a Fluval FX5 and all that's in it is ceramic hexagonal rings for coarse filttration, an awful lot of inert foam and finally a polishing pad to take out the small bits. Apart from the polishing pad which I change weekly, everything else is permanent and is only squeezed out in discarded tank water when I clean the filter. I have no carbon, no Biomax, no nitrate remover, no ammonia remover; just inert foam and a regular maintenance shedule to make sure the water keeps flowing. My fish are healthy, my tank looks clean and the water doesn't smell funny (weekly water changes though). Total cost for filter media per year after initial outlay: Almost nothing.

 

[KrystaK]

Well if thats the case, then at least i won't have to buy ,any more of it
I also bought carbon, filter floss and a polishing pad. So I think I got it all covered. 

 

[ficklefins]

The carbon isn't necessary but I think it can be helpful.  If you have any driftwood in your tank, the water will discolor, even if it's very slight.  I have carbon in my filter because I don't like the light brown color my water turns, and the carbon takes care of that for me.  But if you don't have any driftwood and you aren't overstocking your tank, keep up on water changes, etc.  the carbon isn't really necessary.

 

[frapadoodle]

Kinda with SSU on this one. The key is proper maintenance.
I have mostly sponges in my filters, a layer of ceramic rings, and floss for polishing. The sponges get a squeeze, and ceramics get a swish in a bucket of used tank water abiut once a month, during a weekly water change. The floss gets replaced as it falls apart.
I only use carbon to remove meds, et cetera from the tank. After a few days it stops being effective.
Over filtering is normally a good idea. I do the same.