What Filter Media Do You Use?

mattrmiller · 09-26-2003, 07:59 PM

OK, so I have an AquaClear 150 on my 20 long, and an XP2 on my 29 gallon. In both filters all I have is sponges and bio stars (even in the AC 150). They seem to be doing really well, I was just wondering what other people used in their filters. I know that most do not like carbon on planted tanks, but what about the other filter media that removes ammonia.

The reason I ask is because I think I need to find a finner sponge for my 150, because particles are still making it through. I also have a concern that I should be using something else as well, even though everything is going well.

Guttboy · 09-26-2003, 08:08 PM

Matt....

I have 2 FILSTAR XP3's on my main tank....100 gallon...using the ceramic media from petsmart in the upper chamber....in the lowest one I have the provided sponge........I clean once per month cuz im OBC as wasser and others would say..but i alternate a couple of days between.....nothing else on filtration for that.....10 gallon and 15 gallon using whisper 200 filters with some spare ceramic from the 100 gallon....works well...

Mike

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 09-26-2003, 08:31 PM

I just set up an Aquaclear 200 on a 20g tank and left off the carbon. I put the foam block on the bottom and lava rock on top. I might add another layer of polyfill (quilt batting) to help with fine particles.

DLeDeaux · 09-26-2003, 09:26 PM

I'm running a Fluval 204. I have the foam pad on the side and ceramic in the bottom 2 baskets. I was running some polyfill in the 3rd basket for a while, but didn't see much benefit so I took it out.

Now I'm running a couple of tablespoons of crushed coral in the third basket to bring up my KH.

09-26-2003, 08:08 PM	#2
Guttboy Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 752	Matt.... I have 2 FILSTAR XP3's on my main tank....100 gallon...using the ceramic media from petsmart in the upper chamber....in the lowest one I have the provided sponge........I clean once per month cuz im OBC as wasser and others would say..but i alternate a couple of days between.....nothing else on filtration for that.....10 gallon and 15 gallon using whisper 200 filters with some spare ceramic from the 100 gallon....works well... Mike __________________ Mike 100 Gal Planted, two Filstar XP3, Milwaukee SMS 122 pH controller, Milwaukee reg/bubble, compressed CO2, reactor 1000, 7 WCMM, 12 Ottos, 14 neons, 1 SAE, 3 German blue rams, 2 Florida Flag Fish 10 Gallon...20 Endler's live bearers planted, peat/kitty litter/sand substrate 15 Gallon...Just Schultz Aquatic Plant soil

09-26-2003, 08:31 PM	#3
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	I just set up an Aquaclear 200 on a 20g tank and left off the carbon. I put the foam block on the bottom and lava rock on top. I might add another layer of polyfill (quilt batting) to help with fine particles. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

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09-26-2003, 07:59 PM	#1
mattrmiller Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 152	OK, so I have an AquaClear 150 on my 20 long, and an XP2 on my 29 gallon. In both filters all I have is sponges and bio stars (even in the AC 150). They seem to be doing really well, I was just wondering what other people used in their filters. I know that most do not like carbon on planted tanks, but what about the other filter media that removes ammonia. The reason I ask is because I think I need to find a finner sponge for my 150, because particles are still making it through. I also have a concern that I should be using something else as well, even though everything is going well.

09-26-2003, 09:26 PM	#4
DLeDeaux Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 377	I'm running a Fluval 204. I have the foam pad on the side and ceramic in the bottom 2 baskets. I was running some polyfill in the 3rd basket for a while, but didn't see much benefit so I took it out. Now I'm running a couple of tablespoons of crushed coral in the third basket to bring up my KH.