Good Canister Filter media??

[Carapar56]

Okay so i'm going to be setting up a new 20 gallon tank soon and I'm going to be using an old eheim 2013 canister filter. I used to use it for my turtle when she was in my 55 gallon but now that I've given her away I can use this filter instead of buying a new one. My question is, is there any specific type of media I have to use for the filter? I use a few layers of filter stones (like these but mine are hexagonal instead of cylindrical) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=15433 along with a few layers of pillow stuffing and a few layers of carbon inside of little filter bags.

Is this a good media set up? Or should I change something?

Crap I just realized I posted this in the wrong section. Sorry guys!! If this could be more to general aquarium forum that'd be great. Sorry once again, I wasn't paying attention to what section I was posting in.

[imma24]

Don't bother with carbon - it's not necessary unless you are trying to remove a bad odor or meds from a tank - I would get more bio media and the pillow stuffing is a great idea - many of us use that for additional mechanical filtration and it can be replaced when you clean the filter.

[Carapar56]

That's the thing though, what do you mean by bio-media??

[Cermet]

A canister should have mostly bio-noodles made of ceramic. These rae the best bio-host for the bacteria. Fiber fill is good for helping tp trap larger pieces of dirt.

[Carapar56]

Alright so those weird fabric like or sponge like pieces? I haven't ever set up filter media before.. Only ever use cartridges for my tetra whisper filters.. I think I have plenty of ceramic stones atm. I'll get some fabric like sheets to add. Will carbon hurt? Would it take out any of the nutrients I'll be adding for plants, such as Flourish? If not I think I'll add a layer of carbon, I really don't mind and I prefer carbon. It always shows a difference in water clarity.

[Cermet]

Carbon is a total waste of critical space in any filter; ok, the site finally loaded - your ceramic 'stones' are ceramic tubes or noodles and these are ideal for filtering. Carbon can do harm if left too long and no one has ever determined what that length of time is so unless you are willing to change out the carbon every four weeks, I'd pass on it. If you can name me one thing that carbon (really activated charcoal) removes that occurs in the common aquarium, I'd love to know; to date, no one has so I'd be pleased to find out.

[Carapar56]

Idk but it makes me feel better about myself to add it. XD I won't this time if you really think it does nothing but I always noticed a difference in water clarity when I added carbon. I'll add like 3 layers of ceramic stones and a couple layers of the fabric. Okay thankyou.

Anyone have an idea of how long it'd take a 20 gallon to cycle by itself with this 60 gallon eheim filter? O.o I'm going to be cycling from scratch as I don't have any media to take from old filters, as all the old media is from tiny 10 gallons and I can't remove it without removing it all.

[dbosman]

Put a handful of gravel from your existing tank, into a filter bag, or a a nylon stocking. Put that inside your canister to help speed the cycling. The benificial, and other, bacteria are on every surface of your existing tank. Plants, fish, and snails included.

Here is the download link for the manual and parts diagrams for your 2213.
http://www.eheimna.com/downloads/detail/14

One thing I like to do with a freshly setup tank and Eheim canister, is just cram a wad of filter floss in it for a few days. That will pull any particulates out of the water column. Then I refill the canister with coarse media on the bottom, medium media (aquarium gravel works reasonably well, by the way) and then a layer or three of filter pad or a wad of filter floss.