I know there are allot of reviews out there, one recently comparing the FX5 to the Eheim 2080 comes to mind. I have been trying to figure out how to ask this question? With most filters you are limited by the design as to what media you can fit in the filter. Here is my question when you fill a filter and you have empty trays that let you use whatever media you like what is the best choice of the two? Example with the FX5 you already have a ton of sponge mechnical media to start with so when it comes to using the rest of the space is Bio media in general the best thing to complete filling the trays? I just wondered if something like Matrix, Biomax etc. realy holds the bacteria any better than a sponge? Maybe the FX5 was not the best filter to use for the example let me throw a couple models out there Eheim Classic, Eheim Pro, Aquatop, Rena any of the filters with open space or trays. I know many are going to answer it matters on the water conditions but when it comes to the money where is it best spent?
Media Choices??
- Thread starter hawkerw
- Start date
You know when I make a new post to me it's about sparking hopefully a little conversation and it is how I learn. I know I have been over time and again questions of one brand vs. another. My purpose with this post has nothing to do with brand it's about understanding media volume, gph, media types and why some things seem to work better than others. I know in todays world a very high percent of it is marketing and what percent of that is true science who knows? The facts are there are mechnical filtration, bio filtration, chemical filtration etc. Lets go back very shortly to the FX5 vs the 2080 one with it's massive media volume and the other with it's GPH when you look at the spec's they are very different yet both are rated very similiar. Very often you will see very experianced hobbyist reference about the very underrated sponge filter? Is the bottom line all about media volume? Recently, I ordered some Bio Media and in the end all they are where small rocks just the same as any found in the streams here in the mountains. Yes those rocks will hold bacteria as will the sponge. It's not about me stressing over the products it's me asking you from experiance how to best fill that media volume in that filter and yes maybe trying to understand why say the FX5 for example with it's very limited volume for extra media can do the job it does. IE where is that money is best spent? I hope this makes better sense and in the end it's probably one of the most important decisions you will have to make when it comes to a aquarium setup?
brand ? well IMO brand dont matter go with what you like or think will work best for your setup.... basically the more GPH your filter or filters are the more effeicent your tank will be for filtering it out and etc
and as for media and how much media to be using, if you look up matrix it will tell you how much to use to treat X amount of gallons of water.... i got some matrix today and they look like gravel no small pebbles... i have 2 fx5s and 2 basket filled with bio max and a filter pad and then my top basket with seachem matrix and a pad as well... ya dont really need that pad in the baskets it more of your setup and the load from your fish and etc... to do 2 fx5's i ordered 3 boxes of 1100g biomax and 4litres of matrix didnt realize the matrix was so big other wise i would have only went with 2litres... as i think i was only able to fit 1 litre if that in a basket... and the bio max i used 1 bag 1100g and 1/3d of a bag to fill each basket (4 baskets) think i have it worked out to about 825g of bio max in each tray
there is also a thread somewher eon this forum stating almost every filter pad and media ya could think of that MOST people typically use with numbers showing the amount of surface area they have on each peice and etc... try doing a search if thats what your after, or it maybe a sticky as well
and as for media and how much media to be using, if you look up matrix it will tell you how much to use to treat X amount of gallons of water.... i got some matrix today and they look like gravel no small pebbles... i have 2 fx5s and 2 basket filled with bio max and a filter pad and then my top basket with seachem matrix and a pad as well... ya dont really need that pad in the baskets it more of your setup and the load from your fish and etc... to do 2 fx5's i ordered 3 boxes of 1100g biomax and 4litres of matrix didnt realize the matrix was so big other wise i would have only went with 2litres... as i think i was only able to fit 1 litre if that in a basket... and the bio max i used 1 bag 1100g and 1/3d of a bag to fill each basket (4 baskets) think i have it worked out to about 825g of bio max in each tray
there is also a thread somewher eon this forum stating almost every filter pad and media ya could think of that MOST people typically use with numbers showing the amount of surface area they have on each peice and etc... try doing a search if thats what your after, or it maybe a sticky as well