Fluval 305 Advice Please

[Nick_Giles]

Hi again.

Today I purchased a Fluval 305 canister filter to take over from an under gravel filter.

First question is do I still need a source of bubbling air in the tank. The Fluval is sooooooooooooooooooo quiet compared. Would be nice to not have the noise of the pump and bubbles. Can I rely on the water movement for oxygenation or do I still need the air pump on.?

Secondly. If I add a fine mechanical ( polishing ) media to the 305 would it be best located before or after the bio media.?


Thanks in advance. Nick

 

[Always Learning]

Ripples across the water surface is all you really need, so no, no need for an air pump.

As for the filter floss, I tend to place them where it's easily accessable.. so generally just laid on the top tray, as that's the only one I ever really change.

 

[kevinjames]

top basket above the bio rings. always last stage of filtration.

 

[Nick_Giles]

Thanks for your reply.

Would it also be a good idea to keep the under gravel filter also running for a week or two until the 305 bacteria 'finds its feet' in the canister.?



Nick

 

[kevinjames]

yes definately unless u hav any mature filter media to add to the new filter. from my experience the fluval is a goog filter. i have been running the 305 for over a year without any problems. what i do advise is buying some more bio rings as when the supplied carbon is fully used theres loads of room for more. the best value bio rings ive seen is from "the range" shop.

 

[OldMan47]

I would run them in parallel for at least a month. The canister is going to take just as long to cycle as any other filter unless you seed it with bacteria from another filter. Running on the same tank is not at all like seeding a new filter. You must somehow introduce bacteria into the new filter if you want it to respond quickly and build up a bacterial colony.