Fluval 305. Advice welcome...

[tiguardo]

I'm currently running a Fluval 305 canister filter, with the following in the 6 baskets.

3 of ceramic media
2 of carbon media
1 of Purigen (for polishing)

The area I'm in has pretty acidic water (around 6) & my LFS has suggested crushed shells in my filter may help to raise ph naturally over time. I have made a bag from a pair of stockings and washed the shells thoroughly. I think I need ideally to place the bag towards the top of the canister, but which media should I replace. A basket of ceramic or carbon? I don't want to loose too much bacteria & loose the effectiveness of my recently cycled tank.

Any ideas...

 

[Mr. Limpet]

I'm currently running a Fluval 305 canister filter, with the following in the 6 baskets.

3 of ceramic media
2 of carbon media
1 of Purigen (for polishing)

The area I'm in has pretty acidic water (around 6) & my LFS has suggested crushed shells in my filter may help to raise ph naturally over time. I have made a bag from a pair of stockings and washed the shells thoroughly. I think I need ideally to place the bag towards the top of the canister, but which media should I replace. A basket of ceramic or carbon? I don't want to loose too much bacteria & loose the effectiveness of my recently cycled tank.

Any ideas...

I'd suggest removing the carbon packs, place the shells in the top basket.

 

[tiguardo]

I'd suggest removing the carbon packs, place the shells in the top basket.

Thanks for the advice. That's pretty much what I was thinking . I'm hoping it'll just gently raise the pH without using chemicals (although none of the fish appear to mind!)