PENGUIN 400 MEDIA

[CHRIS79]

What do you guys fill your 400's with, I had the blue mech filter going with the carbon taken out of it then filled the media baskets with small matrix in it but noticed the matrix wasnt being used to its full potential, thought about filling the baskets with floss as I think I read before but just went ahead and pulled the baskets and put an additional blue mech filter again no carbon in it gonna see how this does flow is still good but want to know what does everyone else do with thier 400's

 

[boldtogether]

I filled mine with Eheim effisubstrate pro and put a sponge on the intake for mechanical. That works but it clogs fast. I eventually bought the extra media baskets and ran two filled with matrix and two with filter floss. Worked like a charm. Remember though, the bio-wheels on the filter are usually more than enough surface area to accommodate adequate bio. The added media capacity when using the extra baskets is totally cool, but no replacement for properly stocking a tank. If you want to run an overstocked aquarium, buy a huge canister and fill it with media.

 

[Hot Slime]

All mech. Double cartridge with carbon taken out and the space where the carbon use to be filled with filter floss.


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[Gill Blue]

but noticed the matrix wasnt being used to its full potential

I'm curious as to what magnification you used. and what microscope. I've been thinking about buying one, but don't really know what to get.

I use marineland sponges cut to fit. it's a coarse sponge, I'm guessing about 10 PPI, but when I switch tank I'll be going with something a bit finer. I'm not sure what, yet.

 

[CHRIS79]

Thanks guys gonna see how the doubling the blue pads works maybe fill a pair with floss like hot slime suggested, and yes boldtogether I thought since the bio wheels are bio why not through more mech this is just one of three filters on a 55 so just messing with it to try and get the most for my set up, ^ no microscope should worded it better lol I compared it to the AC110 running beside it witch I have matrix on top and it always looked darker or dirtier than the matrix in the 400 baskets I mean I could be wrong about the potential part but it seemed pretty clean either way going to be using it for more of a mech filter with wheels for bio have a canister on it for bio and ac100 for both the 400 for mech, thanks again for responses....

 

[MonsterMinis]

ime the 400 s flow is faster in general so less gets trapped in places you dont want it ACs flow seems to be slow enough even on its max setting stuff gets clogged fast. i run an AC and an emp 280 on my 37 and i intend to pull the AC in the next month (just upgraded a penguin to the Emp). i run a sponge and 2 bio bags on it and a prefilter sponge... i clean it every 3 days to keep my flow up. it gets gunked up very easy and fast. i think my lighting also plays a roll in this as it does get indirect light from my HO t5s.

btw i upgraded to the emp because the penguin didn't have enough space in the back chamber to accomidate the amount of mech filtration i wanted. and the ac has become more work then i want.