Canister media?

[Rinzy]

I just ordered a sunsun canister filter for my 26 gallon fw. I have never had a canister before so I'm new to all the media options available. There are 3 baskets - do I need the white pads in all 3 baskets? Or do they all go on the bottom? I'm not going to use the carbon - I was going to get some ceramic rings - do they need to be in a bag or keep them loose? Do I need bio balls or is that the same as ceramic rings? Sorry for all the newb questions. I just need recommendations of what to put in each basket.

 

[paytertot]

Bio balls and ceramic rigs are both for bacteria growth. I keep mine loose and I put them in the top basket. I have a fluval so it came with its version called biomax.

 

[Rinzy]

So, does the water filter through the bottom up or from top to bottom?

 

[paytertot]

What other media you put in there depends on your tanks individual needs. I keep clearmax, carbon, and ceramic rings in mine, in that order.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

So, does the water filter through the bottom up or from top to bottom?

In the sunsuns bottom to top. I put course sponge then floss them bio media in mine.