XP2 Filter Media

AJ_Wave · 01-29-2004, 08:50 PM

Whats everyone running as far as filter media in there Filstar XP series canister?

I only have what came with mine right now but I'm looking for what's going to work best in a soon to be heavily planted and fish tank.

Thanks

wellbiz · 01-29-2004, 09:23 PM

I just run various sponges. Courser in the botton to finner at the top. I dont use any carbon or carbon type material...

Jason

Wasserpest · 01-29-2004, 10:45 PM

Sponges are great. Good mechanical filtration, large surface for bacteria, even flow, even flow, reusable, easy to clean...

I use two fine, two medium, and two coarse sponges (~40/30/20 pores/inch) in each of my xp3's, and the ceramic noodles that came with them.

AJ_Wave · 01-29-2004, 10:56 PM

Quote:

I dont use any carbon or carbon type material...

Is carbon not good when used in a planted tank? Just wondering as I hear others say they don't like to use carbon.

wellbiz · 01-29-2004, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ_Wave

Quote:

I dont use any carbon or carbon type material...

Is carbon not good when used in a planted tank? Just wondering as I hear others say they don't like to use carbon.

Yes it can absorb some of the nutrients that the plants need...

Jason

Broken · 01-29-2004, 11:03 PM

What type of Sponges? Because I am wondering the same about what filter media to use in my XP3, I just have what came with it so far. I looked at my LFS and did not see any type of Sponges.

wellbiz · 01-29-2004, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken

What type of Sponges? Because I am wondering the same about what filter media to use in my XP3, I just have what came with it so far. I looked at my LFS and did not see any type of Sponges.

There are 3 kinds of sponges that Rena sells for the XP series of filters. Any online retailer should stock them... Same cant be said for most LFS..

Jason

pedietz · 01-30-2004, 04:13 AM

BigAlsOnline sells all of the filster supplies: 3 sponges, bio-stars, ceramic rings, the zorb pouches, the carbon pouches.

If you've always used Carbon in the tank, I suggest you ween yourself off of Carbon gradually instead of at once.

I got a bloom when I removed too much too fast.

With the trays you can pour in as much loose carbon as you want.

malkore · 01-30-2004, 03:01 PM

I run the media that came in my XP2, which happened to come with a bag of ceramic rings. Again, no carbon, ammo-lock, bio-zorb....just the micro filter pad on top, after the 'noodles'.

cruizer · 01-30-2004, 03:11 PM

I was told to replace the carbon with lava rock. So i'll be doing that.

malkore · 02-02-2004, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruizer

I was told to replace the carbon with lava rock. So i'll be doing that.

that'll work, but so would ceramic rings. basically the carbon can become surface area for good bacteria, so the rock/rings just makes up for the lost surface area.

01-29-2004, 08:50 PM	#1
AJ_Wave Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (-1/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 87	Whats everyone running as far as filter media in there Filstar XP series canister? I only have what came with mine right now but I'm looking for what's going to work best in a soon to be heavily planted and fish tank. Thanks __________________ AJ ■ Oceanic 30G Cube ■ Filstar XP2 ■ CSL Power Compact with Moon ■ Hagen CO2

01-29-2004, 09:23 PM	#2
wellbiz Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,270	I just run various sponges. Courser in the botton to finner at the top. I dont use any carbon or carbon type material... Jason __________________ 120g, Flourite & Sand. DIY Stand and Canopy. CF lighting 3wpg, Pressurized C02, DIY reactor. 2-XP3's, 500watt heater. Heavily planted

01-29-2004, 10:45 PM	#3
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,645	Sponges are great. Good mechanical filtration, large surface for bacteria, even flow, even flow, reusable, easy to clean... I use two fine, two medium, and two coarse sponges (~40/30/20 pores/inch) in each of my xp3's, and the ceramic noodles that came with them. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

01-30-2004, 03:01 PM	#9
malkore Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 2,165	I run the media that came in my XP2, which happened to come with a bag of ceramic rings. Again, no carbon, ammo-lock, bio-zorb....just the micro filter pad on top, after the 'noodles'. __________________ Malkore Filstar XP2 PIMP #3 Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved

01-30-2004, 03:11 PM	#10
cruizer Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Valparaiso, IN Posts: 173	I was told to replace the carbon with lava rock. So i'll be doing that. __________________ Check out my AquariBlog for tank progress and updates!

01-29-2004, 11:03 PM	#6
Broken Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 73	What type of Sponges? Because I am wondering the same about what filter media to use in my XP3, I just have what came with it so far. I looked at my LFS and did not see any type of Sponges.

01-30-2004, 04:13 AM	#8
pedietz Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 188	BigAlsOnline sells all of the filster supplies: 3 sponges, bio-stars, ceramic rings, the zorb pouches, the carbon pouches. If you've always used Carbon in the tank, I suggest you ween yourself off of Carbon gradually instead of at once. I got a bloom when I removed too much too fast. With the trays you can pour in as much loose carbon as you want.

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