Got a fluval 404 what to put in the baskets?

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tcarswell

Polypterus
MFK Member
Dec 6, 2008
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I got a second hundred gallon and it came with a four chamber fluval 404.
What should I put in the baskets? Will filter floss slow the flow a great deal?

Also do I have to put any carbon that goes in it inside of bags? my old 304 I just poured in some seachem carbon right in the baskets and never had a problem. I am replacing all the media. I kept half of his bio rings and boiled them for use later.
Any advice tips or tricks for these filters?
 
This 100 gallon is going to have the fluval 404 , an eheim 2215 (new) And an ac110. Not sure if this helps. I would like to run some carbon in the fluval if its easy.
 
I have bio rings on mine before.
 
I was thinking the sponges obviously. The mechanical rings in slot 1 (They look like bio rings and similar ones come with the eheim classics. Then second basket filter floss. Then the other 2 baskets could be full of bio max.
 
i would just do all bio, i believe fluvals do a good job with the mech they come with, my 305 and fx5 are strait bio, also the filterfloss isnt worth it unless you find it at petco for $1 a box like i did, even the directions say it only last 7days max. also you do need to have the carbon in the bags
 
Ok thanks , I am gonna skip the carbon because I can run that in my HOB really easily and I wont have to crack the fluval open very often.
 
I've got my 404 with Biomax/Biomax, SubstratPro/Biomax, SubstratPro/CoarseMechrings, Biomax/gravel. No carbon. Saving those for when/eventually if i need to clear meds.
 
I have 9 405... 4 on a 110G and 4 on a 125G one as a back up...

I have the chambers set up 2 ways... (the long pads are of course the same on both setups)

3 Bio/mech units = fluval and ehiem ceramic media in all 4 baskets

1 Carbon unit = just carbon bags... ac70 bags fit nicely and have more carbon than the fluval one... Petsmart 3pk = $9.99

The way fluval shows is 2 baskets, (bottom baskets) of ceramics and the top 2 of carbon...

I prefer to have all the carbon in one unit in case I need to add medications and it makes changing it systematically every three months much easier... Also, with multiple filters running just bio/mech I can completely break down a filter and totaly clean it without concern for loosing bio cause I have 2 others up and running... try to breakdown each one of the bio units every three months and do one per month on each sys...

I am also experimenting with sponge filter covers from magdrive pumps on the intakes of the 405 to try and keep them running a little cleaner... this is working quite well as it filters out the big stuff... I have one in the corner by my desk in my 125G in my office... looking at it now... it needs to be changed as it is starting to "hourglass" a little... we'll see what t looks like when I open it up in another 2 months...

I hope that helps...

MM
 
That helps a great deal thank you! Ill grab some carbon bags as a backup. How many fit in a 404 tray? Also have any of yours leaked around the seal? I hear a lot about this happening although I don't believe mine was doing it when I picked it up, Thanks alot !
Tcarswell
 
Tentatively posts "No leak around the seal I covered it in petroleum jelly however" .

Thanks for the tips guys. I got one tray of pre filter one tray of filter floss and two trays packed with bio max.
 
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