Sunsun hw-304b

[steelsquid]

I got a new filter for my 75g. It came with some media. I added bio cylinders from my two other filters, also added carbon sheets to each level and a few sponges.

My question is:
Before it gets running too long. What would you recommend for the four layers? Also is the pourous rock better than bio cylinders and/or bio balls?

 

[xraycer]

This is my set up on my 304Bs: for the bottom tray, I lay down the blue sponge and fill the rest of the tray with filter floss/Poly-fil. All the other trays I fill with ceramic rings, which are placed in mesh bags.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I got the 303b and it has 3 layers/baskets. The flow goes down the UV tube first and then works its way back up through the media baskets. The way I ran mine was to put the mechanical sponge on the bottom of the lowest basket and then filled the rest of that basket with the included bio balls. The next basket up I filled with ceramic rings (I got the media package also and the amount of ceramic rings it came with was not nearly enough, so I added a ton more that I have on hand for my large build). Then, in the top/last basket I put the three water polishing pads. This has worked great and the water has never been as clear as it is now.

If you have 4 baskets, and you got the media package that includes the bio balls, I would recommend you get enough sponges to fill up the bottom basket. Then, fill the second basket with the bio balls. Next, fill the third basket up with ceramic rings. Lastly, fill the top basket with water polishing pads.

If you want to start from scratch with adding media, I would recommend starting off with filling the bottom/first basket with sponge(s). Then, fill both of the middle baskets with ceramic rings. Lastly, fill the top/last basket with filter floss.

Both of these options should work very well. I think you will be very happy with the filter on your 75 gallon tank.

 

[fishnatics]

For both my sunsun's, bottom tray I put the blue pad then coarse white pad. Next 2 trays I use the bio balls then ceramic rings. Last tray I use the fine white pad to polish. Been setup like that for almost 2 yrs now and been very happy with it.

 

[xraycer]

I got the 303b and it has 3 layers/baskets. The flow goes down the UV tube first and then works its way back up through the media baskets. The way I ran mine was to put the mechanical sponge on the bottom of the lowest basket and then filled the rest of that basket with the included bio balls. The next basket up I filled with ceramic rings (I got the media package also and the amount of ceramic rings it came with was not nearly enough, so I added a ton more that I have on hand for my large build). Then, in the top/last basket I put the three water polishing pads. This has worked great and the water has never been as clear as it is now.

If you have 4 baskets, and you got the media package that includes the bio balls, I would recommend you get enough sponges to fill up the bottom basket. Then, fill the second basket with the bio balls. Next, fill the third basket up with ceramic rings. Lastly, fill the top basket with water polishing pads.

If you want to start from scratch with adding media, I would recommend starting off with filling the bottom/first basket with sponge(s). Then, fill both of the middle baskets with ceramic rings. Lastly, fill the top/last basket with filter floss.
.

I'm still perplexed as to why you would place the "polishing pads" after the ceramic rings. A significant amount of these fine particulates would just get trapped by the ceramic rings which would quickly clog up all the micropores that creates surface areas. Surface area is the whole purpose and design of ceramic media.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, just would like to know your reasoning for setting it up in this order.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I just don't want any debris that might come from the ceramic rings to get out into the tank. I do have a mechanical filtration sponge before the bio media but I want the water polisher as the final step so I can keep as many particles from getting out of the filter as possible. Just the way I like to do it but it's certainly not the only way.