what filter media?

[hcover]

I'm starting a new 75 gallon tank in June, so we're looking for equipment. The guy at the best lfs we've found suggested a Fluval cannister filter. Then he told us all the choices for media. I was still processing how the thing worked, when he rattled off the choices. We saw ceramic, charcoal, that he said we should avoid because of our plants, and a number of other choices. And we need to chose 3, I think.

What are everyone's suggestions? It will be planted and I'm thinking of a pair or two of gourami, a pair of angels, a couple of sharks, and maybe a school of something. But it'll be a while on the fish because we plan on a fishless cycle, now that we know that's possible.

Thanks all,
hcover

 

[Orion]

You can find polyfill in the craft section of most stores. It is much cheaper than purchasing the filter media that is make just for a filter. Only thing to watch is to make sure that it doesn't have anything added to it to kill mold and/or mildew. This is easy to tell because it should say right on the bag.

I prefer the fill that comes in the roll instead of the loose fill. For me it's easier to get the same amount of media every time, and just generaly easier to work with. A $6 bag of the pollyfill has lasted over a year and a half for over 5 tanks.

I know that my fluval came with filter media when I bought it. It came with the floss, which is what the polyfill can replace, the chemical media (the charcoal), and the bio-rings. Chemical filtration isn't needed unless tring to remove meds or other contaminates out of the water so don't worry about that. Just make sure that either the bio-rings or some other type of bio filtration media comes with the filter or you will need to pick up some of those. I use the ceramic rings in all my canisters and have been very pleased with them.

 

[noncentric]

Hi hcover...there are basically three types of filtration:

Mechanical
- to remove the suspended particles in the water (extra food, fish waste, etc)
- this is what the filter floss, sponges, or polyfill that Orion mentioned, will do

Chemical
- to removed dissolved materials in the water, and to help with any smells or odors emanating from the tank
- this is what the carbon would do, but most aquarists with live plants won't use carbon because it will absorb some nutrients that the plants feed on

Biological
- to provide a place for beneficial bacteria to grow
- this is what the ceramic rings would do. i think you can also use bio-balls to achieve the same purpose.

I think the reason he said you'd choose 3, is because that filter probably has 3 'baskets'. If you don't use one of the filter's baskets for chemical filtration, then you could use it for additional mechanical or biological filtration.

Good luck!

 

[hcover]

new filter and tank

Thanks for the info.! Yesterday, we bought a 75 gallon tank (for my b-day next month) and a Rena Filstar xp3 - It has the filter media with it, but as it gets closer to being in use, I will get somethin else instead of the carbon.

My husband is building a tank stand because he doesn't like the looks of any of them out there. Then, we'll get it going. There's a coupon with the tank for biospira, so we may use that, start with plants and get the water safe before we add any fish.

Can't wait to get it started. We even bought a new couch to go with it. The couch and fish tank will be the centerpiece of our living room.

hcover

 

[Orion]

I love it when purchases of other major funiture revolve around a good tank

I think you will be pleased with the XP3. I bought one used about a year and a half ago and it has worked great. Not a single complaint, problem or issue with it. I'd buy a new one if I needed one.

 

[noncentric]

My husband is building a tank stand because he doesn't like the looks of any of them out there.

Congrats on the new purchase. Did your husband get the stand plans online? There are a lot of plans online for tank stands, mostly geared towards ensuring that there is enough support for the weight of the tank. Your 75-gallon tank will weigh almost 800 pounds when filled - a tiny bit lighter if it's made of acrylic instead of glass (1 gal water = 8 pounds)...then there's the weight of the gravel and decor.

There's a coupon with the tank for biospira, so we may use that, start with plants and get the water safe before we add any fish.

Bio-Spira is probably one of the only "bacteria starters" that actually work - most of the time. Just make sure that it's kept refrigerated at the store and that you keep it refrigerated until you use it. Also, you should add some fish right after you add the Bio-Spira. Reason being, the bacteria that you add to the tank via the Bio-Spira will need "food" to survive. That food is provided by fish waste...or rotting shrimp, rotting fish food, pure ammonia (but adding fish is a lot easier). Just make sure you start with the more hardy species in your stocking plan. For the price of Bio-Spira, you wouldn't want to mis-use it.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[dogdoc]

Here's my $.02. Plant heavily from the very outset with lots of fast growing stems (anacharis, hornwort, wisteria) and skip the fishless cycle and the bio-spira. (I know I may be branded as a heretic here now)The plants will take up the ammonia and you will not see the typical ammonia and nitrite spikes associated with the cycling process. Works even better if you can get a bit of seeded filter media. Lots of fast growing stems will also help outcompete algae.

I put fish in shortly after planting my 75, and I tested every day. Sometimes twice. I never did get a reading on ammonia, or nitrite. It did take about 6-8 weeks to see any nitrates even with a fairly high bio-load. Just another benefit of plants. If you take care of the plants, they will help take care of your fish.

If the tank is heavily planted, you may want a little extra boost to water circulation as well. I run two XP3's on my 75g. I use Seachem's matrix and bio-chem stars in them as well as lots of filter floss. I also know of those who use an XP3 and a powerhead to increase flow. I personally don't believe that you can really have too much filtration.

My final bit of advice would be to put as much thought into the plants as you do you stocking. Figure out in advance what lighting, CO2, and fertiliztion you are going to use before you ever set it up. Trust me. I did it backwards and just got plants first. Since then, I have added CO2, ferts, and upgraded my lighting.