add bio media to power filter?

[charlenerk]

i've set up my first tank a few days ago, have done much reading and i know biological filtertration is paramount. it's a 10 gal tank with a 5-15 gal power filter, which was included with the tank. i transferred my betta from his bowl to the tank and have added a couple of small, hardy fish. the power filter has mech/chem filter media included. i'm trying to add bio media - i set a sponge (for aquarium use) in the top of the power filter, half submerged hoping this will add some area for the bacteria to grow on. is it safe to say that to increase biological filtration, all i need do is add some type of bio media into my power filter and just let nature take its course? i read a suggestion to put a sponge on the intake tube of the powerfilter to increase growth and housing for the bacteria.

is my added sponge a good idea?
any ideas on increasing bacteria production (naturally)?

 

[amishfignewton]

The sponge will help with the filtering of fish poo and will prolly gether bacteria too. There is certain stuff that you can put INSIDE your tank that can harvest bacteria. I THINK that seachem bio matrix can be used outside of a filter and just spread on the bottom of the tank (it is like little rocks) and it will gather bacteria.

I took a quick look in my bigals product guide. They make caves and decorations that can harvest bacteria. hmm, but they arent coming up on the website. if you want to call them and ask them for a catalog or call and ask if they still carry them, they are called

cell pore biorama tankscapes

some product numbers are:

26411
26412
26417
26413
26418
26420
26421
26422

 

[RC-Fish-Fan]

Charlenerk, I have two 10 G tanks and I also added biological filtration components. Here are some of the things I did, I am not suggesting you should do them. It is more of a pick and choose what is convenient in your situation. If all you are keeping is one Betta, you need very little biological filtration. However, if you increase the number of fish, then increase the biological capacity with one or more ideas from this list:

1. Add the Bio Cylinders from fluval or any other brand inside the filter bag of the power filter. Remember to take them out when you change carbon or throw away the filter bag. I have a whisper 1 and I was able to add 4 of these cylinders that aure used in the Fluval canisters. Each cylinder provides 8 times the "biological" filtration of one whisper bag.

2. Add two or three black stars from the Aquarium Pharmaceutical products in the space between the power filter back wall and the filter bag. (suggestions 1 and 2 can be done together or together).

3. Add an undergravel filter (This is a mess to do in already established tanks but it is doable and it is a good side kick for the power filter).

4. Add Matrix and decorations as Amyfishfignewton suggested.

Good luck.
*celebrate

 

[charlenerk]

add bio media

i stuck a sponge at the overflow of the power filter, i may try adding some other bio media below the sponge, (the area between the mech/chem filter and the aquarium wall), i've read that bio media works best following mech/chem filtering (because the debris/impurities caught by the mech/chem can interfere with optimal growth of the "good" bacteria on bio media).

this is so fun! i've spent the last year learning about fishkeeping and dreaming of having my own tank, this 10 gal will be my quarantine tank after i get my 72 bowfront up and running, which i don't have yet, but hope for...

thanks so much for your feedback -

 

[JKO]

Just one note, I have read that a power filter and a undergravel filter together do not do well

 

[RC-Fish-Fan]

Well, there is to show how diverse the opinions are. I have 7 tanks, all of them have undergravel filters and power filters, a couple tanks have Undergravel, Power, and canister. In every case, the combination works great because the biological capability of the undergravel filter complements the lack of biological capability of the power filter.

The problem with undergravel filter is really in cases where the fish likes digging or when you want to breed fish that spawns on the gravel. I have read many books and I haven't encountered any info on the incompatibility of power filters and undergravel filters.

 

[Managuense]

UGF's and power filters work great together! i completely agree with RC on this.

UGF's by themselves suck IMO though, and this is especially true for cichlids-as they tend to get dug up and made worthless.

i also hate using air pumps.....i dont even want to get started on these guys .
M