Filter inserts question...

[Crispy]

okay, I've been reading alot here about carbon being useless except for removing meds and smell from the water. I'm using 2 x aquaclear 110s (formerly 500s), and I'm wondering if instead of the foam then zeo carb combo, maybe I'd be much better off using foam, then bio balls, then ammonia remover? My bio load is increasing because the fish are growing pretty fast and I think having that extra layer of bio balls in the HOBs will improve my filtration... is this the case?? Should I stop using carbon and gear more towards bacteria colonies?

[travie]

Here is what I used for filter media on my AC 70: foam, bio-media(ceramic rings), and then another thing of bio-media(ceramic rings). This combination works great for biological filtration.

[btate617]

I only use the foam in mine.

[Sharkman]

i just was speaking with wild turkey about this and i am removing my carbon sack from the filter and using 2 foam blocks now and the ceramic rings.

[Wild Turkey]

NO ammonia remover IMO. Otherwise sounds fine, i just use foam/sponges. Works excellent. I hear that bio balls dont really work as well outside of wet/dry filters and you are better off with just more foam/your preference.

[Crispy]

thanks for the info guys. I'm going to use foam, then the bio-media (ceramic rings). Can I ask why the ammonia remover isn't really necessary?? I now understand about the carbon being a waste of $$... but havn't really read anything about the ammonia remover. Is it because my biological filtration should be sufficient enough to not need it?? The tank is not dirty, nor am I worried about my bio load yet, but I just want my filters doing their best job.

[Wild Turkey]

The bacteria does everything for you, you dont need to take ammonia out of the tank in that way.
Most of them dont work well, or at all
Some of them mess with your readings

[Northernguy]

I still use carbon and ammonia pellets in mine.
I guess I am just stubborn.
You may have to do larger w/cs to meet your bio-load.You may want monitor your perameters closely after your switch.

[Wild Turkey]

I still use carbon and ammonia pellets in mine.
I guess I am just stubborn.
You may have to do larger w/cs to meet your bio-load.You may want monitor your perameters closely after your switch.

To each his own, probably not a bad thing to have on hand for emergencies, if its a brand you know is good.
Who makes the ones u use ng?

[Northernguy]

Aqua-ClearTo each his own, probably not a bad thing to have on hand for emergencies, if its a brand you know is good.
Who makes the ones u use ng?
It is the only filter I have ever trusted.It is also the easiest to maintain.

[Crispy]

I still use carbon and ammonia pellets in mine.
I guess I am just stubborn.
You may have to do larger w/cs to meet your bio-load.You may want monitor your perameters closely after your switch.

I still use them also, but after alot of reading I'm thinking of going more towards the biological filtration of a bigger bacteria colony instead of buying carbon and ammonia cartridges. A buddy of mine has a 180gal and all he uses in his fluval fx5 is a ton of bio-media and foam. I've never seen a more spotless and clear tank!!
I can always start with changing one filter and 4 - 6 weeks later, if I'm liking the setup I can switch the other filter to all bio-media also. It's definitely better on the budget since it's all reusuable for awhile.
Thanks again for the info NG, WT, and Travie!! thats why I love this place!!

[Northernguy]

I buy everything in bulk! thumbs2: Its so much cheaper and easier

[Naturestee]

In my AC, I use two sponges and one bio-media bag, the kind that comes with the filter. It's worked great for a couple of years and it's also what I did for my 10 gallon when I still had that running.

I only change the sponges when squeezing them out doesn't seem to ungunk them enough. That's maybe every 6-12 months. Then I only change one sponge and wait at least a month to change the other so the bacteria colonies can build on the new one.

[Crispy]

In my AC, I use two sponges and one bio-media bag, the kind that comes with the filter. It's worked great for a couple of years and it's also what I did for my 10 gallon when I still had that running.

I only change the sponges when squeezing them out doesn't seem to ungunk them enough. That's maybe every 6-12 months. Then I only change one sponge and wait at least a month to change the other so the bacteria colonies can build on the new one.

This is the method I'm going to start using in the new year. Thanks for the info all.

[kaybee]

okay, I've been reading alot here about carbon being useless except for removing meds and smell from the water...

While carbon, being chemical filtration media, has a completely separate role from biologic filtration media, I wouldn't catergorize it as being "useless".