Just got my first canister filter. Setup help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
A

Aparker2005

Exodon
MFK Member
Oct 21, 2015
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Hey everyone. I just purchased my first canister filter, an Aquatop CF400UV. It has 4 layers for different media and a UV lamp. Not certain what the UV does exactly. I know aquatop isn't a premium choice but it had great reviews, fit in our budget, and I've had great experience with our aquatop 200w heater.

So now my question is how would you set this up media wise? Our tank is a 125 long. I have a penguin bio wheel 350 filter on the left side of the tank with 4 of the regular blue cartridges in them. On the right side of the tank, I have an Emperor 400. It has 2 blue cartridges, and the 2 grey baskets are filled with Fluval Bio Max.

I was thinking filter floss, more Bio Max or ceramic rings, bio balls or scrub pads, and maybe Seachem matrix? Not sure if this is a good setup or what order they should go. Any tips before it comes in would be appreciated!
 
Both of my canisters are half sponges and half bio media. I don't know what order if have them in. I kind just put it the filter.
I use ceramic rings. I use them because they were available and cheap.
In my experience, bio media is bio media. So whatever you have should work.
 
Any reason not to get a sump? It's cheaper and more effective. Petco Petland and many more always have 1$ a gallon deals. You can get a 40 gallon or even a 29 gallon for probably less than what you paid for the canister and probably hold 3X more media
 
I am not big on the Seachem Mix. I use ceramic bio rings, and mesh.
 
Whats your stock like? I own the sunsun canister filters (the Chinese version of what you have) and I generally only use mine for bio media as they tend to jam up real quick with a lot of mechanical filtration in them. If you do anything, do one tray of filter floss on the bottom and the rest ceramic media.

The UV light helps to mitigate algae, parasites and bacteria in your water.
 
Stock will be:
10 discus
7 rummynose
25 harlequin raspboras
25 Cardinal tetras
9 cory cats
5 Angelicus Loaches
 
Ok so out shopping today and getting some media.

I'm thinking the 4 layers I'll use are:
Mechanical coarse pads 1st
Marineland ceramic rings (just bought) 2nd
Pot scrubbers 3rd

Can't decide on something like polyfill or seachem matrix for the last tray? Thanks!
 
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