Cannister filter - what media to use

[weird]

Hi I have my Fluval 404 sitting in the corner unpacked until my 4 ft tank arrives.

Now I am beginning to wonder what media should I really be filling it with for a planted discus setup ?

Carbon ? What is the real deal with carbon ... beneficial ? Or maybe not ? Maybe this will be a good chance to experiment with adding peat as a media ?

[Proteus]

How many baskets do you have???

Forget carbon unless you are removing meds or tannins and then it is only usefull for 3-10 days, then it is just a biological host.

suggestions would be, Ceramic Rings, Cintered Glass, small Bio-Balls, Matrix, Course sponge, Peat, Gravel from an exsisting tank (rinsed frist in used water)... etc etc etc

[weird]

Thank Proteous, I will check the basket tonight.

I believe the Fluval 404 has 4 media baskets. I will check out the default, 'comes out of the box' ones tonight. But basically, I think if it comes with carbon, I will just replace that with peat.

- What Media Is Available for the Fluval 404 Aquarium Filter?

Fluval Cartridges - provide the utmost in convenience and filtering capacity. They feature a combination of a Duo-Density polyester pad with an effective carbon layer to provide quick solid waste, liquid impurity and dye removal from aquarium water. The double fused sheath design traps solid waste before it can interfere with the powderized carbon layer.

Fluval Filter Foam Blocks - Designed specifically for use in Hagen's Fluval Canister Filters, these Foam Blocks effectively strain particulate waste, so that it doesn't clog the other filter media in the module stack. Its primary purpose is mechanical filtration, but biological activity will also occur within the pore structure. Rinse foam monthly in aged aquarium water and replace when the pore structure begins to break down.

Fluval Carbon Media - Activated carbon removes impurities.

Fluval Pre-Filter Media - Ceramic chips capture large particles.

Fluval Ammonia Remover Media - Useful in new tank set-ups.

Fluval Foam Filter Blocks - Use in the top layer of your Fluval Canister Filter for exceptional mechanical filtration.

Hagen Filter Media Fluval 404 Biomax Ceramic Rings - When used in the Fluval 404, the biomax ceramic rings provide massive surface for cultivation of beneficial bacteria allowing the Fluval 404 to eliminate toxic ammonia. The biomax ceramic rings never need replacement and should be rinsed with tank water when performing maintenance of the Fluval 404.

Hagen Filter Media Fluval Peat Granules - The Fluval Peat granules can be used in the Fluval 404 when replicating soft water conditions for fishes such as discus and tetras. Remove carbon from the Fluval 404 when using peat granules as it will negate the Fluval 404 ability to soften water.

Petcetera Filter Media Filter Fiber 14oz. - Economical mechanical filtration for the Fluval 404. Simply fill one of the Fluval 404 media baskets with filter fiber for crystal clear water.

Hagen Filter Media 404 Fluval - Foam 2pk - The Fluval 404 foam media absorbs the majority of fish waste, extending the life of additional Fluval 404 media. The foam media can be rinsed when performing maintenance on the Fluval 404 filter.

[flukes]

Dont have too buy fluval media for a fluval cannister. Just make sure you have a good sponge at the top too catch any large waste, then just fill the rest will bio balls or other bio logical media you'll be right.

[weird]

I unpacked the fluval 404, and the filter baskets are arranged in such a manner:

4 baskets, which hold 2 lots of media units.

Out of the box it comes with 4 packets of active carbon, and 4 packets of bio max ceramic rings.

I am thinking of going with this arrangement


TOP BASKET - BIOMAX

2ND FROM TOP - BIOMAX

2ND FROM BOTTOM - PEAT GRANULAR

BOTTOM - POLYWOOL

[flukes]

dont fluvals feed from the top down,?? In any case you want the filter wool/pad/sponge at the start too filter out all the large waste.

[weird]

I pretty much followed the manual, they are the recommended placements of the media.

I like fluval for 2 reasons ...

1. Media baskets ... easy to put in and pull out media.

2. Easy to read manual.

[kalebjarrod]

Read everying then make up your own mind

if it works best the way the manual says do it

but never trust a manual just because,

[weird]

Thanks Kaleb, experience beats reading books ...

Fluval Polywool does not seem to exist online (although Poly Pads do) or in any LFS in OZ. And as Flukes wisely said, "Dont have too buy fluval media for a fluval cannister" ...

Does anyone use some sort of poly pad in your tank ?

Can you recommend a brand or alternative source ? Maybe I will try some hydroponics stores.

[weird]

OK things I am quickly learning ... quite a few things are repackaged in the aquarium industry (and ofcourse heaps of other industries) and sold for a billion times the price. I picked up a small box of poly pads (fluval) for $15. Later that day I check out a marine specialist aquarium shop on Willoughby Rd, they were selling the same thing in a big plastic bag for $10 ! haha ... I would never ran out again.

[kalebjarrod]

good work!

[flukes]

Are you talking about filter wool? or a pad?
Mate try stay clear of brand names with filter media, unless its carbon or peat most of the cheaper brands do exactly the same job.

[D.J]

Dito Scott, can't agree more.
I have an Aqua one canister filter but apart from the substrate which I use Eheim substrate, everything else I use a no frills brand.
Things like poly wool, I just bought a big sheet and cut them to pieces.