Fluval Filtration System Discussion / Questions

[UCGrafix]

Hi everyone,

I am setting up some new tanks, and have changed filtration system, and gone from the AuqaClear to the Fluval, I will be using the 404 Fluval model in a new tank, of witch has 4 baskets for media, and the Foam media to one side, and my questions are as follows,

Since I have 4 baskets, and a variety of media to use, what set up would be best for containing Gouramies in my first tank.

I have the following media's on hand,
4 Carbon bags ( this came with the filtration system )
4 Ammonia remover bags ( this came with the filtration system )
BioMax media to fill a full basket ( this came with the filtration system )
pre-filter to fill one basket ( purchased separately )
And that does not keep in account, that there is the Peat granules available among others that I can also use.

The book states what media to use at what level, but how do I fit all this, in the 4 compartments, and how much of it do i use at what level
Do you mix media's in certain baskets
Will the impeller be able to handle all these media's at once

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Regards,
Denis

[Nelson]

Bottom basket....Pre-Filter (course pads)
Next Basket..... Bio Max/ceramic rings
Next Basket.... carbon and/or ammonia remover (if necessary)
Upper Basket....foam pads

I believe the bottom and following container are the most important for the develpment of bio-bugs.  

If you don't need the basket for carbon or ammonia remover then I would add granular media for more bactrial growth.  Just make the switch to carbon etc. as required.

[darkdep]

Filter media is so much a personal preference in certain cases.  Nelson's suggestion is good.

I also have a 404 that will be set up soon, and for me it will be this:

Bottom:  Coarse Sponge
Next:  Filter Floss
Next:  Ceramic Biorings
Top:  Ceramic Biorings

I don't personally use Carbon or Ammonia remover (I believe those are for "emergency situations" only, and are not necessary for normal operation).  I also wouldn't use peat as I'm not interested in softening my water.  The course / fine filter material will trap most of the physical mess, and the biostuff in the next two baskets will handle biofiltration.  

Biobugs should develop equally anywhere; it shouldn't matter where in the canister the biomedia is.  By keeping the mechanical media in front of the biomedia tho, you'll be less likely to run into the situation where you need to physically clean the biomedia.

[UCGrafix]

In my AquaClear 300, I have always used the sponge at the bottom, then the carbon after witch was the amonia remover, it's worked well for me in the past.
Cutting out the carbon and amonia remover is something diferent, if I where to do this procedure, what will control the amonia build up in the tank, at least i think there would be one, and the the air filtration that the carbon usually takes care of

[Mettle]

In my Fluval 404s I use the provided spot for sponges (pretty much a no brainer) then for my baskets I do: floss, floss, biomax, biomax. And that's that. I like the floss as it catches a good amount of fine particulate. I fnd my water is always crystal clear with this in there and I'm continually amazed at how much it catches when I do filter maitenance and finally see it.

Ammonia remover and carbon are not necessary if you have an adequate amount of the biomax media. The reason is the beneficial bacteria will build up on the surface of the biomax media and will consume the ammonia.

There are a couple of reasons I like this scenario better, personally.

Firstly, if one needs to medicate carbon needs to be removed from the filter. I'm not sure about ammonia remover. But by doing this you're suddenly letting a whole lot more ammonia go into your tank, as the remover would have been taking care of a certain level of it and now the necessary bacteria to deal with it isn't there. So in addition to already having sick fish you need to medicate you're also dealing with an ammonia spike. Not good!

Second... Biomax media lasts a heck of a lot longer than ammonia remover and carbon does. Those you have to replace a lot more regularly. With the biomax media you can leave it in for a ton of time and it's just fine. So it's a money saving issue as well, in my view.

Just some thoughts on the matter.

[darkdep]

Ammonia remover in a filter is unnecessary.  If you need it, then "something is very wrong" or the tank isn't cycled.  Once the tank is established, the bacteria buildup that is part of the nitrogen cycle will consume the ammonia.

Carbon performs chemical filtration.  The thing here is that, again, if you NEED it, "something is very wrong".  Mettle mentioned medication...I find digging out carbon to medicate a hassle.  

Most here would probably agree on the ammonia remover, but I'll tell you up front that the use of Carbon is a hotly debated topic with probably equal numbers on both sides.  

As Mettle mentioned, Carbon also has to be changed frequently (every 4 weeks or so), and if you DON'T change it on time, it can start leeching the stuff it's absorbed back into the water...

[Toss]

never use amonia remover myself. carbon, only after medication period is over. otherwise foam, biomax and floss