How to stack up my filters

[SandNukka15]

So just got a 125 ordered coming in which I'll be adding most my stock from both my 75s

16 columbian tetras
9 peppered cories
7 red head geophagus (might get rid of 2)
4 bolivian rams
3 angelfish
2 electric blue acaras
1 flagtail
1 blue phantom pleco

The filters I have to work with are 1 ehiem 2262, 1 ehiem 2217 and 1 aquaclear 110

Should I stock the ehiem 2262 and ehiem 2217 with just bio and go with just mechanical sponge and some fine filter floss for the aquaclear 110 so it's easier to change out frequently or sell off the aquaclear 110 and just go with ehiem 2262 bio media and ehiem 2217 with both bio and mechanical filtration?... or just go with ehiem 2262 bio media and aquaclear 110 mechanical media?

Just to clarify I have tons of diff types of bio media to load these filters up with

 

[Bluesandtwo]

I think it's all down to personal preference and people with different experiences. If it helps, on my 110 I'm running x2 eheim 2217 and x2 eheim pickup 200. Both 2217 have 75% mechanical and 25% biological. The pickup 200's are more for additional current/water turnover, but using less watts than a powerhead and offer additional mechanical filtration.

Ultimately even mechanical filtration becomes biological as the bacteria lives within it too. My water is always crystal clear with the exception of the big cichlid poos that sit at the bottom but are forced to the two outside walls. So easy to spot clean with the siphon rather than having to do the whole 6 Foot tank.

Hope that helps?

 

[twentyleagues]

I've never understood the one filter for mech and another for bio thing. How do you keep gunk out of the one that's just for bio? I don't think you can. I understand using a hob or a internal canister like Bluesandtwo said for additional mech. Just use the canisters as intended. Use the 110 as additional mech. If you want to get really crazy get an intake sponge on the cans and use a finer mech inside the can and the rest bio.

 

[deeda]

I agree with twentyleagues about using the canister filter as intended with both mechanical and bio-media. The AC 110 is handy and will collect a lot of debris from the water column, you can you use the intake extensions if you want and is quick to clean.

I'm not sure what media you are using in the Eheim 2262 but maybe look into buying some Poret foam media in 20 PPM to use as a pad (or two) as it will trap more dirt, easy to clean and more importantly can be used indefinitely. I also use Poly-fil Traditional Batting as a finer media with just 2 or 3 layers instead of the loose stuff for even finer filter media.

 

[SandNukka15]

I agree with twentyleagues about using the canister filter as intended with both mechanical and bio-media. The AC 110 is handy and will collect a lot of debris from the water column, you can you use the intake extensions if you want and is quick to clean.

I'm not sure what media you are using in the Eheim 2262 but maybe look into buying some Poret foam media in 20 PPM to use as a pad (or two) as it will trap more dirt, easy to clean and more importantly can be used indefinitely. I also use Poly-fil Traditional Batting as a finer media with just 2 or 3 layers instead of the loose stuff for even finer filter media.

I have Ehfifix for mechanical followed by matrix and then siporax

 

[deeda]

I got the Ehfifix with my only new 2260 and didn't really see how well it would work so it's still in its box. ? All 3 of my in use 2260/62 filters use Ehfimech (tubes) as coarse mechanical then varying pieces of Poret 20ppm for medium mechanical followed by either EhfiSubstrate Pro or Pond matrix in zippered lingerie bags and the Poly-fil Traditional Batting.

There are more posts somewhere on the forum that provide more details of how I stack the media in my big Eheims but not sure if I posted pics of them.