Filter Media Options

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Hypancistrus

Hypancistrus

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 29, 2005
116
1
48
USA
I am moving into predators after 15 years of keeping small (10 gallon sized) community fish. In keeping community fish, I forgo the use of Carbon or any other type of chemical media, and simply use multiple sponges in an AquaClear filter, along with heavy plantings and weekly 25% water changes, all of which have always kept my ammo and nitrites at zero, and nitrates at barely measureable levels.

I know that filtering a predator tank is a little different because the size and waste production of the fish are a lot different. In addition, heavily planted tanks are an exception as opposed to the norm. So can anyone give me some suggestions on what types of filter media you all use in your tanks?

I have been looking at the media "Purigen," by SeaChem. (Purigen from That Fish Place) and it sounds good, but I'd like to know more about it before I commit to trying it. I have also been thinking about growing some regular old houseplants, like Pothos and spider plants, hydroponically with roots trailing in my tank water, also to suck out nitrates.

I am not having any water quality problems at this point, but as the fish grow it might become an issue, and I want to know my options. So... reccomendations, folks?? Thanks much!
 
The size of tank your are going to have will really dictate the size of filter you have and therefore the type of media you will be using. That Purigen looks more like a chemical additive than an actual media to me, its talking about removing NitrAtes and it also states that when its exhausted you can recharge it with bleach. I would avoid it tbh. With any filter you want to get a good balalnce between mechanical and biological cleansing and all good external filterrs shoudl provide this. Most External filter will also allow you to change the ammounts of media you can have, example would be for dirty fish you might want to add coarse sponge, fine sponges tehn bio media instead of sponge and 2 trays of bio media. I use Eheim's own media in all my extrenal filters, and whilst more expensive I know ythey will last for ever.
As for removing NitrAtes well careful feeding and plenty of good water changes is the best way of removing/maintaing nitrAte levels in your tank.
 
What does your new set-up look like? Tank, stock, filtration etc etc?


Purigen is an excellent product. But it's not the end all be all. Search the forums for some threads on it.

My personal blanket recommendation is run multiple filters.

I use cannisters, HOBs, and powerhead driven spongefilters(sometimes as reverseflow undergravels) in all my tanks.

I don't use charcoal or purigen unless I want to polish my water and I'm quick to remove it (carbon) after 2 weeks. I'm big on plain old blue filter pads for my HOBs. And a mix of Eheim ceramic rings and substrat in my cannisters.
 
Bio media is the most important of all than mechanical than for removing meds or for sh_ its and giggles you can use chemical media. And of course water changes, water changes and more water changes.
 
I use good mechanical (sponges and micron screening) and a lot of bio media. I rarely use any kind of chemical media. I also use continuous drip water change on my larger tanks to keep things well diluted. Water quality is always good, and looks clear.
 
The tank is a 30 gallon breeder tank, 30" x 18" x 12", serving as a grow out tank for a variety of young predators- from a 6" bichir to a 3" Pictus Cat. 5 fish total, and I may add two new juvies from my 20 gallon quarantine tank... but then again, I might not. Haven't decided yet! I am running an Emperor 280 along with a Fluval70 for over 700gph filtration. Bi-weekly 50% water changes. I can't do a continuous drip system at school, though it's part of my plans for their more permanent tank in a year. I have the aqua clear packed with sponges and a bit of bio-media (ceramic rings) and the Emperor has the standard blue pads with charcoal inside (it must be useless by now- the tank's been fully cycled for over a month!) along with lots of bio-media.

Any thoughts on how I can do better with the system? I think the gph is more than adequate, but I am not sure how I feel about the blue "cartridges" on the Emperor. Are they wasted space? Can I do better? This won't be their "final home," by any means- I don't anticipate them staying in this tank for any longer than 8 months to a year. Once they've grown fatter and can readily find food, I'll move them to a 75, and then to a 125. Depending on how things go with my home purchase next fall, I may skip the middle man and go right to the 125.
 
Well, personally I hate those filters that use cartridges. It's just a bad idea. I have heard of people cutting open the cartridges, dumping the carbon, and wrapping the frame with sponge material held in place by a couple of rubber bands. Might be worth a try.
 
Loose the carbon, it's going to start leaching back into the tank now.

Like hillbilly said, and if you can't find thin foam, use poly-fil...this is purely for mechanical filtration. And I feel obligated (:D ) to say it's getting a little crowded in there now. Gald to to see your pushing filtration.

Dr Joe

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Dr Joe;665217; said:
And I feel obligated (:D ) to say it's getting a little crowded in there now. Gald to to see your pushing filtration.

Dr Joe

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Click to expand...

Yeah, I know. I thought the tank was going to be 36" long when I bought it, but it was a different brand and was 6" short. Not that that would have made a huge difference! In any case, I am going to be buying my first home in the fall, and I have money set aside for at least a complete 75 set up. Been saving two years for it! So by this time next year, they will all be cruising in a 75. For now, I am just doing crazy frequent water changes with loads of filtration. I want what's best for them, you know? And if they start growing faster than I anticipated, then I will have to go bigger... sooner. Oh well. ;)
 
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