Prefilter for Cannisters

[Corrado93]

Hi

I need to pull out my Fluval 403 from the closet and dust it off for use.
In the bottom chamber, this model suggests to use the Fluval Pre Filter Media with are basic smooth ceramic rings to trap the largest particles. the middle Chamber has foam and the top chamber has Bio Max.
I believe that some eheims work like this as well.

On the new Fluval models that i have, the 304, the designed changed and the pre filter is foam. My XP2 is the same, the pre filter is foam.

Now i am wondering how to best set up my 403.
Should i use the ceramic rings or should i just put foam in the bottom chamber instead.

What are your thoughts?

C

 

[cichlid2006]

i have 3 trays in my 1200l/h filter. its not a fluval but im sure the same priciples apply. just for a note the filter floss used it the sheet stuff you get from ebay, and probably walmart for those in the US, and its very cheap and disposible.
i have ceramics in the bottom one with a loose layer of filter floss on top then the second tray i have more ceramics but on top of those i have a thicker and more tightly packed layer of filter floss then in the third layer i have nothing but a tightly packed layer of the filter floss for final polishing, so tight i struggle to get the lattice on top of the last tray before i put the motor back on. my water comes out very clear and i have never had a problem with this.

 

[mystic.bertie]

i have 3 trays in my 1200l/h filter. its not a fluval but im sure the same priciples apply. just for a note the filter floss used it the sheet stuff you get from ebay, and probably walmart for those in the US, and its very cheap and disposible.
i have ceramics in the bottom one with a loose layer of filter floss on top then the second tray i have more ceramics but on top of those i have a thicker and more tightly packed layer of filter floss then in the third layer i have nothing but a tightly packed layer of the filter floss for final polishing, so tight i struggle to get the lattice on top of the last tray before i put the motor back on. my water comes out very clear and i have never had a problem with this.

does using all that floss not slow down the flow rate a lot ? also does it mean you have to clean the filter out more frequently ?

 

[cichlid2006]

does using all that floss not slow down the flow rate a lot ? also does it mean you have to clean the filter out more frequently ?

funny enough no. i thought it would slow it right down but i gave it a shot as an experiment but there is no reduction in flow. but im not packing it tight all the way through, just in the last tray it gets packed full for final polishing. i think it would if i was filling all the trays up like the last one.

as for cleaning, it gets done when i notice a reduction in flow or the water starts having more floaters in it. i last cleaned it about may 08 time. and its still going strong with no issues at all, the floss is disgusting at cleaning time but that means its doing its job. i havent cleaned the new eheim yet but its only been running a couple of months.

 

[Jgray152]

I think its funny how they say to use their prefilter ceramic rings to trap large particals when the water has already passed through the sponges which captures particals smaller than the ceramic media can get. ....

 

[Corrado93]

I think its funny how they say to use their prefilter ceramic rings to trap large particals when the water has already passed through the sponges which captures particals smaller than the ceramic media can get. ....

well, in the old 403 models, it does not pass through foam first.
that was basically my original question, i am not sure if i should use the ceramic rings in the bottom tray or if i should use foam. On the 403, the dirty water passes through the bottom tray first.
C

 

[Jgray152]

Use foam. You can buy coarse foam from an online pond supply store. Usually comes in a small roll. Coarse foam will be your best choice. It will work a lot better than ceramic rings.

 

[mystic.bertie]

funny enough no. i thought it would slow it right down but i gave it a shot as an experiment but there is no reduction in flow. but im not packing it tight all the way through, just in the last tray it gets packed full for final polishing. i think it would if i was filling all the trays up like the last one.

as for cleaning, it gets done when i notice a reduction in flow or the water starts having more floaters in it. i last cleaned it about may 08 time. and its still going strong with no issues at all, the floss is disgusting at cleaning time but that means its doing its job. i havent cleaned the new eheim yet but its only been running a couple of months.

once my filter is mature i may try filling the top basket with floss its so cheap theres nothing to lose

 

[davidtcb1]

JGray is right, use the most coarse foam on the bottom then the ceramic rings and finer foam above.

Use foam. You can buy coarse foam from an online pond supply store. Usually comes in a small roll. Coarse foam will be your best choice. It will work a lot better than ceramic rings.

 

[freshwaterz]

I think its funny how they say to use their prefilter ceramic rings to trap large particals when the water has already passed through the sponges which captures particals smaller than the ceramic media can get. ....

EXACTLY.....
some guy at my lfs store was explaining the ceramic rings to me. I looked at him like, are you serious. When i explained what i meant, about the sponge, I really think I fried his brain. He looked at me like he forgot we were even having a conversation.