Filters Question

[rxracer]

i have 3, 6-7" rbp and a 10" rbp in my 75g, and for filtation i have 2 ac70 and a rena xp3. in the xp3 the first tray is the foams, the next is a lil bit of matrix media, and the rest is pot scrubbies... works great for me. also have 3 plecos in there with the Ps...

 

[Potts050]

Here is what I do....I fill my Xp3's with crushed coral....The top, third level I fill with those Stars the RENA company makes....Mechanical filtration is always done by the trusted Aqua Clear(101) power filter models...

Just curious..
If you're running crushed coral in your filter why also use the star dealies?

 

[Wolf3101]

I can't understand running a mixture of bio-media. Theres no real advantage to doing so. Pick one and use it. All the BB are concerned with is serface area...not brand and not having a choice.

 

[Potts050]

There can be little argument that some media is better than others. Crushed coral is one of my favourites, particularly in hard water tanks.

 

[Wolf3101]

I use crushed coral in all of tanks as well to buffer the RO/DI water but it's in the substrait rather than the filter. The increased water flow in the canister over the crushed coral will continue to raise the PH. Possibly beyond what you want.

 

[Claw]

Like I say to everyone who asks this question, try tetratec ex600

 

[Claw]

Oh and canister filters do help a hell of a lot because they all sorts of gadgets inside that help clean the tank, I'll check what mine has and tell you.

 

[Claw]

It has:
activated Carbon
Ceramic
Foam pad
some black balls
some black foam thing
The ceramic and activated carbon need to be replaced atleast every 6 months.

 

[Claw]

By the way I found out that the ceramic also controls the level of nitrates; this does not mean that you do not do atleast a 20% water change every 2 weeks. You will definitely have to change the water less than you used to.