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media tray setup

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by absntmnd69, Apr 5, 2010.

  1. absntmnd69

    absntmnd69 Thread Starter New Member

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    i got a fluval 304 with the 37 tall i bought about 7 months ago. i finally set it up today and i was wondering about everyone elses (that uses a canister) media tray layout is. now so far i love this thing. theoretically its a crazy good filter. i was wondering if there is anything i need to change around.

    my layout is:
    bottom- zeo carb (ammonia remover/ carbon)
    middle- carbon pads and carbon granules
    top- bio max rings and water polishing pads

    TIA
     
    absntmnd69, Apr 5, 2010
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  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Does that filter bottom to top ? My C220 does and I have 4 trays. Bottom to top --- Foam inserts, Foam Inserts, The blue filter foam you cut yourself, and in the top Purigen.
     
    Anthony, Apr 5, 2010
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  3. absntmnd69

    absntmnd69 Thread Starter New Member

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    well i hope it does. it looks like the water goes into the 4 foam inserts on the side and up into the bottom then out the top to the outlet hose
     
    absntmnd69, Apr 5, 2010
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  4. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I looked at one the other day but cannot remember how the flow went exactly.
     
    Anthony, Apr 5, 2010
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  5. absntmnd69

    absntmnd69 Thread Starter New Member

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    what i love about it is the customization of mechanical and chemical filtering. as we all know discus need pristine water conditions and i feel this is one of the best and most effective filter methods. yes it may be more expensive to maintain but discus arent exactly the cheapest fish to lose and im doing everything i can to keep that from happening.
     
    absntmnd69, Apr 5, 2010
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  6. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Member

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    Alex, I found a box of foam inserts and four or five boxes of filter media in that old hex stand I cleaned out today. Feel free to come get them. The box is labeled for that Fluval you have.
     
    jrow8162, Apr 6, 2010
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  7. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I'm running Rena Filstar Xp4's that filter from bottom to top (4 nice large media trays)...my layout is:
    -> Bottom- 30ppi foam
    -> one up from bottom- 20ppi foam
    -> third up from bottom- 50/50 split of Eheim Ehfimech & Eheim Substrat Pro
    -> 4th up from bottom (or the very top)- Microfilter pad or Morning Glory Premium Polyester Fiberfill...whatever I have on hand at the time

    And sometimes I'll toss some purigen pouches on the 4th up from the bottome (or the very top) too.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 6, 2010
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  8. absntmnd69

    absntmnd69 Thread Starter New Member

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    man im loving this thing. im noticing that my tank is quite a bit more clear after putting this filter on there. i took it down for a few short minutes to make sure that everything is working as it should be and looked and the pre filter sponges and was amazed at what it had caught in such a short time period (less than 24 hours). not convinced that i want to take off the whisper 70 yet as i want to make sure and give it enough time for the biological bacteria colonize in the bio max. i figure about a week will suffice.

    edit... and btw anthony it is a bottom to top flow on this filter.
     
    absntmnd69, Apr 6, 2010
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  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    If i were you I'd use the aquaclear 70 for purigen and carbon if ever needed (easier to pull it out in a hob) ;)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 6, 2010
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  10. absntmnd69

    absntmnd69 Thread Starter New Member

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    still toying with what i should be using in the trays for discus, gbr's, and loaches. i could really use ryan's brain right now. where are you lemon discus? youve helped out my brother so much
     
    absntmnd69, Apr 7, 2010
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  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I have the 90g with discus, rams, loaches, etc...20ppi foam>30ppi foam>eheim cocoa balls/ceramic rings>floss (on occassion purigen)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 7, 2010
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  12. absntmnd69

    absntmnd69 Thread Starter New Member

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    im sorry dawn i forgot about that. has that been working out ok? no spikes or drastic changes?
     
    absntmnd69, Apr 7, 2010
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  13. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    no problem, no spikes or drastic changes...everyone in the tanks doing great (besides those 2 darn runts, but 2 outta 9 isn't too bad I guess).

    I love the Rena Canisters..wouldn't go back for anything! Media options are unlimited>>quick disconnect is a stroke of genius>>and no need to re-prime...just flip the latch and wait a few seconds and your back in business!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 7, 2010
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