Filter Media Recommendations

[BlueBlenny]

Hi all--

I've just bought a Penguin 150 for my 20G and would like to add extra media to it (in addition to the biowheel). Any recommendations for something easy and low maintenance? There is an extra slot next to the carbon cartridge...would ceramic be good?

Thanks!

BB

 

[LauraFrog]

Ceramics are absolutely top class for biological filtration. That's what I'd use every time. In fact virtually all my filters run on floss/sponge and ceramics, and that's all I bother to use. If I have problems with water contamination or I need to remove a med, I run carbon. Ceramics last forever and you don't have to do anything to them except rinse them if you get plant leaves etc. caught on them.

 

[waterdrop]

Agreed. Ceramics and sponges are probably about equal for having good bacterial surface area, both being pretty much the "state of the art" for normal filters in the hobby. But ceramics have the plus of lasting virtually forever, with occasional rinsing, as Laura says, and sponges have the plus of also being better medium-particle mechanical filtration devices. Sponges will also last a long time, only needing to be replaced once one detects tears in their structure (at least that's the usual first symptom most people report I believe.)

As Laura mentions, that carbon space should be available in your filter for further bio space. Carbon need not be in the filter until you need it for removing meds, clearing up tannins or getting rid of some weird organic smell or something. As a biomedia it is a poor choice just in that it gradually crumbles and is lost.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[BlueBlenny]

Thanks to both of your for your replies. I think I will put some ceramic rings in a little mesh bag and just stick that in the back of the hang-on, then. I appreciate the advice!