Best ways to crystal clear polished water
For me, Acurel waste & debris pads (3/8 inch thick) + Aquatic Life Non Woven Filter Pads (1/12 inch thick) + Seachem Purigen 100 ml = Crystal clear polished water that looks like I have a cannister filters and UV sterilziers running. [For my Aquaclear 50, I use Sera Wool "floss" for polishing although I suspect the polishing pads mentioned above by NeverEnoughFish are in fact much better.]
Amazon prices on polishing pads are terrible so for the best on line prices on Aquatic Life mocron pads, go to Petco.com
Aquatic Life Filter Media Non-Woven Pad at PETCO
Aquatic Life Filter Media Non-Woven Pad, 26" L X 30" W 50 Micron SKU: 2200292 $9.99
Aquatic Life Filter Media Non-Woven Pad, 100 Micron 26" L X 30" W SKU: 2200284 $7.59
Aquatic Life Filter Media Non-Woven Pad, 300 Micron 26" L X 30" WSKU: 2200305 $6.39
[Too bad Drs Foster & Smith only sell the felt micron polishing pads. They are not as good as the AquaticLife.]
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Using custom media and a home made floss in biobag pre-filter, I was able to obtain canister quality crystal clear polished water even with my WalMart Aqua-Tech 30-60. Servicing that filter proved messy and time consuming however, so I gave myself some "holiday" gifts this past season and my filters and media have evolved to the point that the water looks absolutely stunning using the following in my tanks which are fully stocked (see my profile)
38 gallon (Three filters):
Fluval C3 #1:
Mechanical: (no pre-filter) Acurel Pad -> 300 micron -> 100 micron ->
Chemical: 100 ml Purigen, Seachem Matrix & Floss
Biological -> Factory CNodes
Fluval C3 #2:
Mechanical: Fluval edge pre-filter -> Acurel Pad -> 100 micron -> 50 micron
Chemical: 100 ml Purigen, Seachem Matrix & Floss
Biological -> Factory CNodes + Seachem Matrix
AC50 (with side holes duct taped to avoid bypass issue so all water flows through all media):
Mechanical: Factory sponge cut in half with Sera Wool brand floss "sandwiched" in between.
Chemical: Poly-Filter by Poly-Bio-Marine, Inc (to hold down nitrates)
Biological: Factory BioMax + Seachem Matrix
29 Gallon - single Fluval C4
Mechanical: Fluval Edge Pre filter -> Acurel Pad -> 300 micron pad -> 100 micron pad -> 50 micron pad
Chemical Chamber: 2-100 ml Purigens + Poly-Filter + Seachem Matrix
Biological: Factory C-Nodes
Here is a side view of my 38 gallon even before I started using the 50 micron pads:
Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Paul1792's Album: Paul1792's 38 gallon - Picture
I consider the 50 micron pads "optional" but they make the water in my 29 gallon tank so "shiney" it is like you are looking into a mirror and see your own image as you try and look at the fish.
As you can tell ....... I am obsessed with the crystal clear polished water thing
Edit: and here's a link to my photobucket account filtration section:
http://s948.photobucket.com/user/Paul1792/library/HOB Filtration?sort=6&page=1