New Filter

[Comacchio]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice about what media to put into my 3rd filter. I currently have a well stocked 200 litre tank filtered by a fluval U4 and a 205, however i wanted more flow and so my girlfriend got me a fluval 206 for my birthday.

Now my question is which media should i use? I was thinking of using purigen in one compartment but not sure about the other 2. Biggest problem I currently have in my tank is probably nitrates that's controller via weekly 30% WC.

Any suggestion welcome.. Thanks!

 

[minnnt]

How much nitrates are you talking about? Is the 206 going to replace the 205?

I would go with

Ceramic rings
Sponge
Floss & purigen. Most of my filters are setup like that and I see no real need to change them.

You can buy nitrate controling media I believe, but whether or not it works I have no idea, lol.

 

[Comacchio]

I'm just going to run it alongside the other 2. I'd much rather overfilter than underfilter.

The U4 has the usual media of sponges, biomax and the hybrid carbon/floss.

The 205 has 4 sponges, 1 basket of fluval pre-filter and then 2 baskets of biomax.

The 206 came with 4 sponges, a water polishing pad in lowest basket, biomax in 2nd basket and then carbon in top basket. I plan on changing the carbon out for purigen but still unsure if i will change the water polishing pad for something else.

Im not too sure if the nitrate removing media works either! My nitrates are around 60-100ppm id say.

 

[minnnt]

I can't recommend Purigen enough mate, it is the bees knees for water clarity.

I think Nitrates upto 60ppm are acceptable for alot of fish unless you keep anything that is particularly fussy about water conditions. Maybe more fast growing stem plants could help you out?

 

[Comacchio]

I can't recommend Purigen enough mate, it is the bees knees for water clarity.

I think Nitrates upto 60ppm are acceptable for alot of fish unless you keep anything that is particularly fussy about water conditions. Maybe more fast growing stem plants could help you out?

My tanks already pretty heavily planted to the point that plants will barely stay in the substrate!

I'm thinking to go for bottom basket water polishing pad, middle basket biomax and top basket purigen/floss. How does that sound?

 

[minnnt]

My 305 has ceramic rings at the bottom as do all my filters. Maybe leave it as it is and add the purigen to the top basket.

 

[Comacchio]

My 305 has ceramic rings at the bottom as do all my filters. Maybe leave it as it is and add the purigen to the top basket.

Just the way it was packed out the box had the water polishing pad at the bottom. Will put biomax at bottom, purigen next then polisher i guess. 100g bagged Purigen has been ordered. Will just run the filter with carbon untill it comes! Cheers.

 

[minnnt]

Put purigen as near to the top as you can mate. I always have floss/polishers at the top as I want them to be one of the last things that the water passes through. Let us know how it compares to the 05 series.

 

[Comacchio]

Put purigen as near to the top as you can mate. I always have floss/polishers at the top as I want them to be one of the last things that the water passes through. Let us know how it compares to the 05 series.

5 minutes in and its leaking from the gasket!

 

[minnnt]

What? Really?

Is the seal greased from the factory? If not then get some Vaseline on it and try again.

 

[Comacchio]

What? Really?

Is the seal greased from the factory? If not then get some Vaseline on it and try again.

It was greased so assumed it would be ok. Before you posted I got some vaseline on it and made sure it was pushed down tight, monitoring the situation now..no leaks seen yet but still not confident enough to go to bed!

 

[minnnt]

That is very poor. Gutted for you pal. I always felt that my 305 never closed very securely, but touch wood, never any problems. Apart from it being veeeeerrrryyyy noisy.

Stick with it and place it in a bucket. If in doubt, just leave it until tomorrow when you have more time.

 

[Comacchio]

I've never had a problem with my 205 and it's opened up every fortnight for maintenance. The leaks seem to have subsided for now, but I'll be keeping a towel and a torch handy throughout the night.

Must just have dried out that little bit too much and rolled off the bead. Touch wood its ok for now! Will update tomorrow/later on tonight with the progress. Cheers!

 

[minnnt]

Fingers crossed for you matey. I'm sure it will be fine, Fluval products are usually bang on.

Sleep... TIGHT

 

[Comacchio]

Or not.. Started leaking again. Thinking that ive got a faulty o-ring. #29###.