Filter Media Question

[blackers92]

Hi Guys

My Filter has like a 4 stage system, in my first part there is just bio balls, followed by Eheim Substrate Pro (Advised to use when I started), one section of just filter wool and finally one with ceramic tube things. My question is, should the section with the Eheim Subtrate be full, it only fills half of the actual compartment. I never have any problems with my tank but would it be better?

If needed I can probably produce a simply cross-section on paint if this makes no sense

cheers

 

[KittyKat]

I appear to have similar media to you, and here is how I prefer to arrange it (water flows from first to last): (aquarium ->) rough pre-filter sponge (easy access for cleaning) -> ceramic noodles (tube things)/plastic "bio balls" -> Eheim's Substrat -> more Eheim's Substrat -> extra fine polishing sponge (also within easy access for cleaning) (-> aquarium).

I prefer to fill the baskets full so that there is the maximum available surface area for bacteria, but filling them full normally does reduce flow rate.

 

[blackers92]

Thanks for the response. I tried to change my setup to have filter wool first but the compartment was about half the size of the one I originally had the wool in basically cutting the amount of wool in half which would probably result in my changing it more often, so I decided to just order it as follows, bio balls > wool > Eheim Substrate and finally the ceramic noodles. I was able to source another liter of Eheim Substrate online fairly cheap so I will fill the compartment completely

I will sleep easy knowing that it is fine.. until the eheim substrate expires in 18 months and the wool clogs up with grit weekly