Filter media for wet/dry setup

[RussMcTyre]

I have a drilled freshwater aquarium (African cichlids) with a MegaFlow wet/dry filter. This particular filter comes equipped only with a pre-filter pad that filters the water prior to flowing over the bio-balls.

The pre-filter pad has no carbon or any other filter media in it.

Should I be using some additional chemical filtration in my setup? If so, do you suggest putting carbon in a bag and placing it directly under the pre-filter pad? Any other suggestions?

 

[mgamer20o0]

carbon isnt always needed. its a personal option. carbon lasts a couple weeks before it sucks up all that it can.

 

[jsoong]

You don't need carbon unless you are trying to pull out meds or tannin or something. <And pwc will prob do a better job than carbon.> If you add carbon, put it in a mesh beg & right after the prefilter.

Carbon is a pretty good media for bacteria to grow on. I have a bag of Carbon with my bioballs. I never change it out, and it serves as additional surface area to culture my bio-bugs (but not as any kind of chemical filter, as it is basically spent carbon.) <When I have to set up a QT, I take it out to seed the tank & avoid a cycle.>