External Filter Media Setup

[leecasey]

Hi, just received my APS External filter. It has 4 trays. It has come shipped with 1 white find filter wool in each tray. I only want to keep that in the last try right?

I have purchased some bioballs for the first tray, could you advise on what I should be putting in the middle two? Ceramic rings? Those balls? Sponge? Thanks

Lee

PS. I have a RIO 400 and planning on keeping JD's and GT's.

 

[kiriyama]

HI, not familiar with that model but if the flow is getting drawn in from the top then pushed up from the bottom through the layers to the top,
bottom tray has ceramic noodles toppped with a sponge
second bottom has plastic bio balls
second from top has two sponges
top tray has carbon sponge (and carbon pouch)then a filter floss pad
I don't use the carbon so just have more sponges
A good thing to get a hold of if you want is the Fluval biomax, very pourous noodles, good for holding bacteria
Hope this helps a bit

 

[leecasey]

HI, not familiar with that model but if the flow is getting drawn in from the top then pushed up from the bottom through the layers to the top,
bottom tray has ceramic noodles toppped with a sponge
second bottom has plastic bio balls
second from top has two sponges
top tray has carbon sponge (and carbon pouch)then a filter floss pad
I don't use the carbon so just have more sponges
A good thing to get a hold of if you want is the Fluval biomax, very pourous noodles, good for holding bacteria
Hope this helps a bit

Hi, thanks that helps a lot. I notice there are two different types of sponge (not including carbon) blue and green, does it matter which order they go in? I assume they are for different things?

Thanks

 

[kiriyama]

HI, not familiar with that model but if the flow is getting drawn in from the top then pushed up from the bottom through the layers to the top,
bottom tray has ceramic noodles toppped with a sponge
second bottom has plastic bio balls
second from top has two sponges
top tray has carbon sponge (and carbon pouch)then a filter floss pad
I don't use the carbon so just have more sponges
A good thing to get a hold of if you want is the Fluval biomax, very pourous noodles, good for holding bacteria
Hope this helps a bit

Hi, thanks that helps a lot. I notice there are two different types of sponge (not including carbon) blue and green, does it matter which order they go in? I assume they are for different things?

Thanks

I think with some brands i.e. Eheim, they do different colours, coarse/fine, some for polishing, some mechanical, some biological, i.e. nitrate etc
aps - all pond solutions ?
Sorry I can't help you with the different coloured sponges, hopefully someone that has one will be along soon

 

[leecasey]

HI, not familiar with that model but if the flow is getting drawn in from the top then pushed up from the bottom through the layers to the top,
bottom tray has ceramic noodles toppped with a sponge
second bottom has plastic bio balls
second from top has two sponges
top tray has carbon sponge (and carbon pouch)then a filter floss pad
I don't use the carbon so just have more sponges
A good thing to get a hold of if you want is the Fluval biomax, very pourous noodles, good for holding bacteria
Hope this helps a bit

Hi, thanks that helps a lot. I notice there are two different types of sponge (not including carbon) blue and green, does it matter which order they go in? I assume they are for different things?

Thanks

I think with some brands i.e. Eheim, they do different colours, coarse/fine, some for polishing, some mechanical, some biological, i.e. nitrate etc
aps - all pond solutions ?
Sorry I can't help you with the different coloured sponges, hopefully someone that has one will be along soon

Yeah, the all pond solutions pump, although I got it from another reseller. Same one though. It's OK, you've given me enough information what I need, I'll let my LFS earn their money when I pop down there later and hit them with a few questions! thanks again mate

 

[felybee]

I am not sure where I heard this advice, but we once told me to put them according to the water flow. The filters thet the water flow goes first through is the larger holes, then smaller, and smaller if needed.

I also remember that the noodles and other things come after the mechanical filtration.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Hi, just received my APS External filter. It has 4 trays. It has come shipped with 1 white find filter wool in each tray. I only want to keep that in the last try right?

You leave the filter wool in each tray, the water gets pump into the bottom. I have 3 tray one and goes

-->water to the bottom-->filter wool-->noodles-->filter wool-->bio balls-->filter wool-->bio rings-->tank output

 

[leecasey]

Hi, just received my APS External filter. It has 4 trays. It has come shipped with 1 white find filter wool in each tray. I only want to keep that in the last try right?

You leave the filter wool in each tray, the water gets pump into the bottom. I have 3 tray one and goes

-->water to the bottom-->filter wool-->noodles-->filter wool-->bio balls-->filter wool-->bio rings-->tank output

Really? That doesn't seem very logical to me as the fine wool will quickly get full of crap, I've always thought filtration should go coarse - > fine?

 

[ian]

I have always used wool as the first stage filtration to get rid of all the debris. This is how i have my APS...wool>carbon>wool>noodles>wool>bioballs+Purigen

 

[leecasey]

I have always used wool as the first stage filtration to get rid of all the debris. This is how i have my APS...wool>carbon>wool>noodles>wool>bioballs+Purigen

I've taken your advice and stuck the wool in on every level. Only difference is, I've put it on top of the trays, oh well, im not ripping it out now. Just got it set up and nervously checking the connections every 2mins in case of leaks! lol. Seems a nice filter, can hardly hear it!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

just a question as im curious, why are messing with the filter, it is supplied ready to work plug and play no need to mess with moving things apart form maybe adding you own media

 

[leecasey]

just a question as im curious, why are messing with the filter, it is supplied ready to work plug and play no need to mess with moving things apart form maybe adding you own media

Not sure about yours, but mine didn't come with it's own media. Just the white wool. That's all I've done. Put some media in.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

just a question as im curious, why are messing with the filter, it is supplied ready to work plug and play no need to mess with moving things apart form maybe adding you own media

Not sure about yours, but mine didn't come with it's own media. Just the white wool. That's all I've done. Put some media in.

They should come with

*Four filter media basket compartments for layered filtering
*Included filter media; Bio balls, Ceramic rings, Activated carbon and three
fine filter floss foams

I would return the filter wool to the orginal place as well as this is its design. If on the top it could stop/slow the impeller?