Filter media

[ajd3.rm]

I had a 29 gal tank and a reg power filter worked fine.
i now have a penquin 330 and emperor 280 in a 55 gal and both have the option of additional filter media. I have noticed a huge difference between prices of carbon and would like to know which brand is the best?

 

[sinasster]

Honestly i dont think there is much different. carbon is not all that necessary in a well established tank. Most important is good aeration and keeping up on proper maintenance.

 

[Torpedo]

I find that the carbon helps keep the tank a little clearer.

 

[RedTurquoise]

There is a huge difference in carbon. Cheap carbon does not last very long and does not remove a lot of stuff it claims to. The expensive carbon is better better in both aspects. Carbons are also made from different sources hence the price difference.

Here's a link with excellant info:
http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/carbon.html

However, as sinasster mentioned, it is not necessary in established tanks.

 

[Jenniferhowe]

Carbon=0 Bio-Media=?

I have a Fluval Canister Filter and just resently decided not to use carbon anymore. I've been told by many that it is useless and not nessesary unless you need to remove meds from the water. I was just about to order more Boi-media when I read that even the Bio-media needs changing every six months. I had the impression that you did not need to replace it because it is a living thing and there for replenishes itself. Can anyone clear me up on this?

 

[fishaddict]

On my eheim it does suggest to remove biomedia every 6 months but leave 1/3 of it in there to help with recolonization but im going to leave mine in there for at least a year. This is assuming your biomedia is like ehfisubstrat. Little rocks that are suposedly excellent fo the critters to live in. If not then im pretty much clueless except for saying i would change it at least every year and rinse it lightly about every 2 or 3 months. Hope that helped

 

[Cyberfish]

never knew it was recommended to replace the ehfisubstrate. I've had my eheim running with that stuff for over a year with out any problems. Heck I've only cleaned my eheim only once during the year. Ehfisubstrate is so expensive that if it ever deteriorates I'll just go with sponges like I use in my aquaclears.