Filter Media

[FiremanSam]

G'day All,

I have a 1100 litre an hour canister filter which has 3 compartments to put filter media in. At the moment I have sponge in the top one , a small amount of ceramic rings in the middle one and small amount of charcoal in the bottom one ( Just enough to cover the bottom of the tray ) is this alright.

Should I really load a the try that has the ceramic rings and the charcoal in it? I have a bit of an algae problem and was thing that I may have not had enough rings for the bateria to grow on to combat it. I have also been told that I should change the charcoal every 6 weeks or so is this right?

All water chemistry is correct. Fish loading is 6; 2-3 inch chilids in a 165 litre tank. Light on about 7 hours a day. on for three hours then of for an 1ohur then back on for another 4 hours.

Cheers in advance

 

[AndyOleszczuk]

Personally, I would take the charcoal out and put fine filter floss in that tray. You only really need to use charcoal to absorb any medications that have been used in the tank. The floss gets rid of any fine particles in the water helping towards crystal clear water.

I'm not sure that the filter will help with curing your algae problem. Have you got your tank in direct sunlight ? Mine is in direct sunlight and I have got a few alae eating fish and an algae magnet. Mind you, there is never any algae on my glass to use the magnet on now as my plecs eat it as soon as it appears.

 

[nukeonekitty]

I don't think I have ever heard of a media to prevent algae. Take it out of the sun and possibly lower the time the lights are on (depending on what type of algae is there).