What Filter Media Do You Use?

[s007]

Hi all, wanted to know as i just got my Fluval 305 filter (soon getting FX5) what filter media do you suggest for me to place and use for planted tank, maybe there is a specific section to place it on if it helps better. I was looking for something which will do its job filtering water best it can and with out monthly changes if possible for that media as i know most of them change on a monthly bases obviously they would probably say that to get more money out of us.

Thanks

 

[Craster]

Noodles and floss will be fine - and you most certainly don't need to change them monthly.

 

[three-fingers]

I have a Flaval 305 on my planted tank, run only bio and mechanical media, chemical media like ammonia remover and carbon require frequent changing to be effective, which is expensive, and they remove the nutrients plants need from the water.

I have cheap filter wool in the bottom basket (£1.80 for a big bag at the LFS, cut to size is cheaper than the Fluval polishing pads), then I have sera biopur which are ceramic rings mainly in there so my biomax in the next basket gets even less dirt on them.

You don't need to use filter wool or polishing pads, I have to change them over every 2-4 weeks (though I have a very untidy tank), so if that's too much filter maintenance for you, use something more course for the bottom tray instead like sponge or more ceramic rings.

 

[waterdrop]

Your poll doesn't really have what I use. First in the water path comes ceramic rings, then a sponge of medium coarseness, then ceramic gravel, then finally a pad that's like floss only a little tougher and longer-lasting. All serve as both biological and mechanical media. I don't use chemical media.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Thommo]

I have onyl filter Floss and Bio media. Both of which do not need changing monthly. Although I may need to a a bit of sponge at the inlet side of the filter to help keep the Bio media cleaner longer.

CHEERS
Thommo

 

[s007]

Will have to get some floss for mine once tank settled down as i see from comments that its quite effective. Wondering what ill place in FX5

 

[rdd1952]

My fluvals have sponges and the ceramic rings that came with it. I also have added a jar of Seachem Matrix. That is easy to scoop out a little and put in my q-tank when needed. I also use it in the filter cartridges on the HOB.

 

[rabbut]

I use, in order of positioning in my Tetratec's;

Smooth Ceramic rings
Coarse foam
Floss
BioBalls

I clean it out every 6 months, something you are unlikely to achieve with a Fluval 04/05 exturnal IME, if you run Floss. In my old 404 I had;

Coarse Foam
Medium Foam
Fine Foam
Ceramic rings

I found it needed weekly cleans... I ran floss for a short while and it needed twice weekly cleans and quickly ditched it. The set-up above is "low maintanance" for a Fluval...

HTH
Rabbut