internal filter media

Hi

So I learn something new every time I browse the forum, most recently the filter media that came with my aqua one 102 is not the only game in town. Unfortunately on checking some sites with intention of getting some alternative media I find myself completely lost.

This is what I think would be good for my filter, could anyone suggest any particular product or if I should use a different set up.


Starting at bottom of filter

Course sponge(which I have)
Zeolite impregnated sponge
Fine sponge

Thanks
Dec

Hi Dec,

it can be a nightmare trying to figure out what kind of filter media to go with. Personally, I would not recommend using zeolite in a filter as standard given that it absorbs ammonia. I know we want to remove ammonia from the system; however, it is more beneficial if this is done through a healthy bacteria colony in the filter media as opposed to using of zeolites and resins. Personally, I would only use zeolites or resins if I had a significant spike in ammonia levels in a tank, that said, I would be determined to identify the source of the ammonia and address that rather than simply removing it from the system. Hope that makes sense?

The set-up you are proposing makes sense for the top and bottom layers. Could be a better option to add small bio-balls or ceramic media in the middle layer. Either option will give a huge surface area for bacteria to colonise and help significantly in the nitrogen cycle.
In addition to the fine sponge for the top layer, you could add a layer of filter floss to remove any tiny particles and give the eater a final "polish" before returning to the tank.
If you can get your hands on a cheap pillow, WITHOU A FLAME PROOF LABEL" you will have enough polyester filter floss to last years a lot cheaper than buying small packs from the LFS. You definitely want the ones which are not treated with flame retardants.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Bill.

Thanks Bill

That is very helpful. Seahorse have juwel sponges and also conpact filter wool (if I can't find the pillow), is it safe to assume that all the filter sponges are standard size? Also would Aqua One bio balls be suitable for the middle section and should I put them in a net bag? I will avoid the zeolite and maybe get some for emergencies.

I also saw Juwel Cirax mentioned in another thread, is this a good bottom layer? and again can I assume it will fit?

I guess I should have given some background in the first post, so better late here it is.

I am looking to improve the filteration in my tank as I am struggling a bit to keep the ammonia at 0. So as my filter does 450L/Hr which I think is bigger than the filters that come with some 60L tanks I figured I should look at what filter media I could be using.

Thanks again
Dec

Hi Dec,

The sponges are all standard sizes for the Jewel filters, just make sure the ones you get are suitable for the model of filter you have, larger filters = larger sponges and vice versa. Any Bio balls will work fine in the filter, and a net bag will definitely save you fishing them out of the tank all the time just make sure it’s a very open mesh, a fine mesh will clog too quickly and reduce the flow through the filter.

The Jewel Cirax is basically a ceramic media which serves the same function as bio balls in that it is porous and gives a huge surface area for the bacteria. The only difference is it comes neatly packaged in a plastic box which keeps it all together rather than a net bag.

Regarding filter sponges, you could be better off picking up some large sheets of filter foam intended for use in pond filters and cutting to the size you need. It’s a lot more economical that the jewel sponges. They also come in various thicknesses and grades from course to fine.

The filter flow rate is measured by manufacturers with no media in the filter, the addition of media will reduce this significantly and then the addition of waste to the media over time will reduce further. Your 450lph filter will probably only run at 300lph on a good day with the media in there.

Regarding the ammonia levels, how old is the tank? How often do you clean the filter? How do you clean the filter media? Please bear in mind that cleaning all the media at the same time will reduce the level of bacteria in the filter. So you could try cutting the sponges in 2 and cleaning one half at a time. This way, you don’t put the tank into a mini cycle every time you clean the filter.

Cheers,

Bill.

It's not the flow rate of the pump that is important but the efficiency of the filter that is the most important.

To get to the very best combination is a bit of this and bit of that and a bit of theory.

You need to aim for maximal surface area with a medium that will not clog easily and will enable bacterial colonies to get a grip.

I use many different media including filter floss, fine sponge, coarse sponge, ceramic cylinders and stuff such as JBL MicroMek in different tanks, filters and in differing combinations.

On the flow rate, it is not a simple matter of the faster or slower the better. I have many filters that have quite slow flow rates but are miles above some others having high flow rates.

If the flow is too fast with certain media there is limited contact time with the water for the bacterial colony to do a good job, but if the flow rate is too slow then you run the risk of not sloughing off the upper layer of the bacterial colony.

Sloughing of the upper layer is important as it prevents a deep anaerobic layer forming that will ultimately easily slough-off and pollute the tank (with layers of dead bacteria).

There are many types of zeolite structures for different purposes. I assume that the one you are talking about is an ammonia adsorbing zeolite (and ion-exchange resin doing a specific job), but there are others that will do other jobs.

If trying to get a tank to mature, then the inclusion of ammonia adsorbing zeolite is not really recommended.

However, if your ammonia is high then (depending on how high it is) the use of such a zeolite could be a life saver that is a much better initial option than a complete water change in view of stressing the fish.
If your ammonia is 10 times the maximum limit then a minimal of a 90 to 95% water change would be required to reduce ammonia, but zeolites can do that much more gently in an emergency act.

ian

Thanks Guys

I am going to get some fine sponge and some bio balls, I will steer clear of the cirax as it may not fit my aqua one filter, it looks like it comes in a Juwel specific package.

I will keep in mind not washing all the media at the one water change, I actually did this before, I know to wash the media gently in the water removed from the tank but I did not know not to wash in my case both media.

I presume I should change the media a little at a time first adding the bio balls in place of part of an existing course sponge and in a couple of weeks add some fine sponge and/or filter wool.

Cheers
Dec

Sorry I guess I should update on the ammonia level.

It peaked at 0.5 and is staying between 0 and 0.25 with 40% changes twice a week. Thanks to Ian for the advice. Also my ph is 7.6 i don't have an exact temp but the room is not too warm in our great weather so I am hoping that the NH3 is a small portion of the whole reading.

I don't think I am over feeding. Currently feeding twice a day 90% of what goes in there is gone within a minute and a few minute of hunting around by the guys for anything that escaped looks ater the rest. Should I go to once a day until the filter gets a bit more mature?

again thanks for the comprehesive information provided.

Cheers
Dec