Do you put a filter pad after K1 ?

[qguy]

Do you put a filter pad after K1 ? I have my mechanical filtration before K1. I removed my gravel earlier (99 percent ) and only 80 percent of the glass floor has a single layer of gravel. After several hours I still have a lot of debris in the water column. I did get rid of the larger stuff that gets lifted into the water column when the fish digs in the gravel, but the smaller ones are still there

Tank is 250g
2 pumps rated 1300 Gallons per hour, with 5 ft head, I am getting 2000 GPH for both pumps
Filtration is mechanical (filter floss) into a K1 in a 45 gallon sump

Occupants : 9 Red devils from 7 to 9 inches and 10 smaller ones from 4-5 inches (No need to comment on overcrowding or what happens once they all get to 12 inches or more)

 

[Oughtsix]

If you want to clear up your water you will need finer mechanical filtration and it shouldn't matter if it is before or after the K1. I personally believe DE filters provide the best fine mechanical filtration for really clearing up the fine particles suspended in the water. Look up the Diatom XL filters for an example of a DE filter.

 

[kno4te]

Before the k1 media.

 

[Castlk]

If you want to clear up your water you will need finer mechanical filtration and it shouldn't matter if it is before or after the K1. I personally believe DE filters provide the best fine mechanical filtration for really clearing up the fine particles suspended in the water. Look up the Diatom XL filters for an example of a DE filter.

This.

 

[ProAquarist]

It's best after so the K1 can help break down the waste. Usually bio goes after mechanical, but K1 is an exception because it also helps with mechanical and is self-cleaning so it won't clog up.

 

[Mugenboyz]

Before.

 

[esoxlucius]

Before I went bare bottom I found that my gravel would accumulate all the small stuff and weekly vacuuming would get rid of it. But I didn't like the idea of all that crud breaking down in my gravel and adding to my nitrates. So I went bare bottom and then found, like you, that there was nowhere for the crud to go anymore and it just built up in patches and then got disturbed by fish and the water column would always have particulates in.

So, I got a powerhead, and put it on a timer to come on in one hour intervals several times a day. It's powerful enough and the placement of it is such that it sweeps anything on the bottom to the end of the tank where my outlet is. All the crud gets sucked up.

First point of call down in my sump is a thick clump of filter floss which takes it all out. My water column is always crystal clear now.

That's in a 180 with a moderate level of stocking though, all pretty small fish. Even though your tank is bigger you've got a fair accumulative lump of fish in there and those 10 small RD's will add to it even more in time.

You could try something along the lines what i've done and go down the powerhead route and see if it improves your water clarity any, but to be honest when all those fish are full grown you may find your 45g filtration capacity just isn't up to the task any longer.

Good luck.