filter media

[emster1]

I have a penguin 350 and a aqua clear 50, as well as a enheim 2215 cannister filter on my 60 gallon tank with 5 discus,4 loaches, and 7 cardinal tetras. I bought some of the empty media cartridges for the penguin and would like to know what is best to put in there. I was thinking pillow stuffing (as mentioned by a member) but really not sure what is best. I was thinking that I could use this filter mainly for mechanical filtration, although it does have the bio wheels. Appreciate ideas.

[Rocksor]

Poly filter for clear water or Seachem Purigen which is a macro-porous synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water.

[mr mittag]

you can still use it as mechanical filtration and keep the bio wheels on. they will still collect beneficial bacteria, just dont ever replace them unless they somehow break. and never clean them off. only clean them if they become unoperational due to a nasty buildup. even then just gently rinse in water that came from the tank during a water change.

[emster1]

could i use some poly filter in one cartridge and the purigen in the other? would i wash this out when i do cleaning or do i just replace with new when it is dirty

[pjaldave]

You can use regular sponges instead. Easier to clean IMO.

Also, what kind of loaches? They need to be in school of around minimum of 6 and above.

I'm not gonna be advising purigen in your tank 24/7 as it will eat the ammonia away from the your biological filter and might starve the bacteria.

[Rocksor]

I dont find sponges that good of a mechanical filtration. It still allows fine particles to go through.

Polyfilter needs to be thrown away since it is a pain to rinse.

[Lady Hobbs]

I have used both but prefer the sponges. My canisters have both.