best media for cannister filter
- Thread starter ultimatejay
- Start date
I use eheim filter media but every time I buy it I kind of kick myself because there are other good materials out there that are way cheaper. Just keep in mind that it is good to have lots of surface area with what ever you choose to maximize bacteria colonization. 
Some people like ceramic rings. but theres tons an tons of Diff bio media for canisters out there. The two canisters (fluval 403s) I have, have a level of bio max ceramic rings, an a level an a half of Eheim Ehfilav (crushed lava rock). Theres also Eheims Ehfisubstrat, an Ehfisubstrat Pro, all are good IMO.
I use ehfisubstrat Pro. Expensive but it is damn good. There is plenty of cheaper stuff, but it works good for me.
i use substrat pro plus a type of pond media called km-1 and i use ceramic rings plus sponge to top the trays off
I've heard of people cutting up straws for filter media but I'm not sure how great that would be. Probably would work ok if you cycled your tank for a long time but it wouldn't optimize surface area as well as sintered glass (eheim media). Bacteria likes to colonize in pores.
Too bad fish can't talk and give their own opinions although that might be a bad thing. "Pellets AGAIN?"
Too bad fish can't talk and give their own opinions although that might be a bad thing. "Pellets AGAIN?"
I agree that substrat pro is the best. I'm currently using ehfisubstrat since it is almost as good and a wee bit cheaper. I think that the main advantage of substrat pro is mostly the spherical shape that allows for better water flow through the filter.
As for the "floss" I do not use eheim ehfisynth but instead "filter fiber" made by PETcetera (again, less expensive, WAY less expensive). I figure anything that is 100% polyester is probably as good or near as good as the eheim stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong!
Curious to know all media that you use for sm-med cannisters HarleyK.
You are THE canister man!
As for the "floss" I do not use eheim ehfisynth but instead "filter fiber" made by PETcetera (again, less expensive, WAY less expensive). I figure anything that is 100% polyester is probably as good or near as good as the eheim stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong!
Curious to know all media that you use for sm-med cannisters HarleyK.
You are THE canister man!