125 gallon filtration / which media for xp3

[awdawg]

On my 125 gallon I currently have 2 emperor 400's I have the media trays stuffed with seachem matrix and use the pads that drs foster smith put out, minues the tray and sponge cuz I dont have enough of those for all my emperors yet.
I have orered a Rena XP3, I am believing that with those 2 filters should be a great plenty for the tank, the only other thing I was considering was maybe at some point a aquaclear 110 as well... but I'm thinking this should handle it.
Now for the new filter media, I keep hearing that pot scrubbers are the best/ cheapest media to toss in there. Do I just jam as many as possible in each tray? Or what does one suggest? As far as chemical filtration... is it worth even messing with with the current setup? If so I was thinking purigen is the way to go from what I hear.... Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated

 

[MilitantPotato]

hey, I used 2 emp 400's and an XP3 on my 75 gallon before going to a wet/dry.
I doubt my water could of been clearer. I did use a small powerhead to stir the crud off the bottom though. Worked well for 7 plecos and 3-4 other catfish.

Use Seachem Matrix for bio-media unless you're really short on cash, it's pretty cheap and works very well, stay away from the bio stars that rena sells.
If ya can't afford the Matrix, pot scrubbers are pretty good, and deffinatly cheap, don't pack them just stack em neatly in a staggerd pattern so there's no areas water can pass through easily.

 

[awdawg]

oh okay so matrix is better then pot scrubbers, I was somehow under the impression that pot scrubbers are pretty much the ultimate for bio filtration considering their price / effectiveness?

 

[freeskierrocket]

filter floss is best for polishing..........stuff the top tray on your xp3's!!!

 

[MilitantPotato]

Filter floss is great, and cheap if ya get it from the right places.

If ya don't mind using something not labled for fish, Polyester pillow stuffing (NOT fire retardant type, the chemicals are toxic) that you can find at a hobby/arts and crafts store (and walmart.)