Media in a Used Canister Filter

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J

JesusFish

Gambusia
MFK Member
Nov 2, 2010
197
0
16
Monroe, WA
Hey there! So I have been wading through a ton of forum info and I have decided Im going to just go ahead and start my own thread. Here is my situation, I just bought a tank and filter (Fluval 305) off craigslist that was previously saltwater and I need to figure out what would be the best media to replace the current live rock and such.

I have read that bioballs are a waste in a canister filter. But im on a tight budget, What would be a good substitute for biological filtration?

Can I wash and re-use the ceramic rings that were in the filter when it was running saltwater?

What would be a cheap Mechanical filtration? Anyways any helpful info would be MUCH appreciated :-D
 
I don't see why you couldn't reuse the ceramic rings. I would probably soak them for a while. I would also make a judgement call based on how dirty and degraded the rings were.

On a budget you could also try carbon. While it is usually used to absorb tanins, medications, or odors it also is porous and can be a pretty good biological filter. I don't know how it would work in a canister but a lot of people use pot scrubbies for biological filtration. They are normally a cheaper alternative to bio-balls, so maybe not the best.
 
Depending on how gross the ceramic rings are I would just replace it. Cheap mechanical media would be filter floss. I would not use bioballs, they don't work so great in canisters and don't use carbon. Surface area doesn't compare to actual bio media and not to mention they need to be replaced frequently or it will end up leeching what it absorbs after a while. Though seriously it shouldn't be that expensive to replace both bio and mechanical since the sponge and rings are basically a one time purchase that doesn't need to be replaced.
 
For cheap filter media use floss or polyester batting from the craft stores, just make sure that it's 100% poly and isn't treated with any chemicals. For bio media you can use pot scrubbies, there are a few people here that sell them in bulk otherwise you can get them at the dollar store 6/$1.
 
Thanks for all the input! I ended up going with pot scrubbies for biological filtration. But not the round kind everyone finds at THEIR dollar stores, I had to go with square ones.... Hahaha. I also dug up some filter material I bought a long time ago and am using that as my mechanical filtration. I hope to get carbon in there eventually. I got it running today on the new tank. Ill be excited to see how well it works :)

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IMO carbon is a complete waste of money. Nothing routine water changes and good filtration won't accomplish. Your better of saving your money on carbon for something else. But other than that your setup looks great.
 
If you're on a budget and really want some chemical filtration in the mix, try Purigen. Works much better than carbon and can be recharged for vitually endless use. I'm still using some I bought about 5 years ago. Way more cost effective, without the negative aspects of carbon.

Nice setup! Best of luck
 
+1 on purigen, lose the carbon theyre a waste of money...

instead of scrubbies i woulda gone ceramic rings...also i
heard you can bake them to rejuvenate them and use it
again... never tried baking them myself but i heard this
method being used a lot...

nice bow front tank :) but if i were you i would paint the back
black or maybe a 3d background ;) just my 2cents
 
I'm gonna go planted so I was planning on going with a black background. And I still have the ceramic rings and they are definetly still an option. But I'm gonna see how scrubbies do. Ill look into the purigen though, I have NEVER heard of it. I'm still trying to wrap me head around how to tap into the full capacity of canister filtering. And just as I finally understand the wet/dry system I change! Lol.
 
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