emp. 400 media

[mdo135]

I just got my new emp. 400 today! its setup and running with the filters that came with it. I love it! anyway my question is what should I put in the extra media container? I was thinking cell-pore boi-media, http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4169&N=2004+113804

Another option is the 3 stage cardridges they made for it. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

or maby just filling the container that came with it with carbon. WHat do you guys think?

 

[dragonfish]

I've used carbon sometimes and filter floss at others. Depends on what your trying to accomplish.

 

[freeskierrocket]

i've used 4 cartridges (1 in each slot) for the last year or so but recently switched to filling my grey "cartridges" with eheim ehfimech substrat pro ..........supreme bio once established...........and the medias round shape aids in flow...........

 

[freeskierrocket]

I have been thiking about the cell pore stuff but my main concern is with restricted flow and clogging!!!!!!!!!!i dont have that problem with substrat pro!!!!

 

[freeskierrocket]

filter floss will work but when you replace it you obviously lose all that bio as opposed to the above mentioned media that will take an extremlyly long time to start to slow....flow rate wise.......and which you can swish in the tank to rinse and retain bio......

 

[hle_81]

I would fill the media trays w/ any kind of bio-media.

 

[Bderick67]

I don't add bio-media in mine thats what the bio wheels are for. For the first 2-3 weeks it is best to run your filter with no cartridges. The reason for this is to build your colony of BB(beneficia bacteria) on the bio wheels, if you have cartridges in it the BB with also grow on them and you will loose that BB when you clean your filter.

Once you have esablished the biowheels, add the filter cartridges and rinse them weekly with tap water. this will extend the life of the cartridge. I no longer buy replacement cartridge, I buy the blue fiber floss in bulk and cut it to size so it wraps an old cartridge frame. I use the other media containers for carbon or pruigen depending on the sitsuation.

As far as the 3 stage cartridges they work very well, but ya can't rinse them out and you will be replacing them every two weeks.

 

[freeskierrocket]

I don't add bio-media in mine thats what the bio wheels are for. For the first 2-3 weeks it is best to run your filter with no cartridges. The reason for this is to build your colony of BB(beneficia bacteria) on the bio wheels, if you have cartridges in it the BB with also grow on them and you will loose that BB when you clean your filter.

Once you have esablished the biowheels, add the filter cartridges and rinse them weekly with tap water. this will extend the life of the cartridge. I no longer buy replacement cartridge, I buy the blue fiber floss in bulk and cut it to size so it wraps an old cartridge frame. I use the other media containers for carbon or pruigen depending on the sitsuation.

As far as the 3 stage cartridges they work very well, but ya can't rinse them out and you will be replacing them every two weeks.

do you get the pouch looking blue floss or just a roll of the stuff.......or the loose stuff???........cartridges do get expensive ....so i might have to start trying this!!! ..pls elaborate as to how you get the cartridge to fit after being wraped as they are already tight fitting???

 

[mdo135]

my goal is more boilogical filtration (I also have two whisper filters on the tank, Great mechanical filtration!) That Ehfisubstrat Pro looks like a good idea, but what about this thing? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13374&N=2004+113804
it is cheap, it looks like a boi-ball, do you think it will work as good as one? if not im just going to use the ehfisubstrat stuff looks great. Im not doing the penguin refill packs not worth the constant changing and not enough boi filtration anyway.

Sorry but 1 more question, all other sites tell me to stay away from carbon why is this, is it really that worthless?

 

[freeskierrocket]

my goal is more boilogical filtration (I also have two whisper filters on the tank, Great mechanical filtration!) That Ehfisubstrat Pro looks like a good idea, but what about this thing? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13374&N=2004+113804
it is cheap, it looks like a boi-ball, do you think it will work as good as one? if not im just going to use the ehfisubstrat stuff looks great. Im not doing the penguin refill packs not worth the constant changing and not enough boi filtration anyway.

Sorry but 1 more question, all other sites tell me to stay away from carbon why is this, is it really that worthless?

carbon has it's uses................such as removing medications, but you can only use for so long (a few days.......then it will supposedly seep back into your tank).........the dr fosters and smith product looks neat....but will it fit in the emp 400???