Fluval canister media arrangement

[55ReefGuy]

Hi,

Just purchased a Fluval 304 for a 36 gallon bow corner aquarium. the filter came with 3 carbon bags and 3 ceramic ring bags. They state to put to the 3 carbon bags at the bottom of the basket, and the three ceramic bags at the top (so the medium basket would have 1 ceramic bag and one carbon bag).

Question: Is this adequate for a complete filtration system or do I need to re-arrange them?

My main question here is what media should I purchase for this filter to get the best possible filtration?

- No live plants
- One Flame perrot
- 2 anglefish
- 1 red tail shark
- 2 tiger fish
- 1 glass sucker (I always forget the name)

Thanks!

Eric

 

[Hara]

I have deleted the identical posts in the other forum...repeating the question in multiple places does not get it answered any faster.

 

[55ReefGuy]

Oh, sorry about that.

 

[55ReefGuy]

Oh, sorry abou that.

 

[pondmom]

55ReefGuy~

I've got the fluval 404's(2) and here is what I have in mine.
Lottom layer~ carbon/ pre filter media/quilt batting
Middle layer~ BioMax rings/quilt batting
Top layer/lava rock/bioballs/quilt batting

I use the quilt batting to catch the tiny particles.
My filters also get cleaned every 4-6 weeks
Gravel cleaning once/week with 15-30% Water Change
HTH

 

[55ReefGuy]

Hmmm, from what I read, the biomax and prefilter rings go in the top layer, no?

How did you insall the quilt batting? Just bought it in a length, wash it, put it in the basket? Does it work good?

I was thinking of putting a bag of "Chemi-pure" in there.

Thanks
Eric

 

[pondmom]

55reef,

I buy quilt batting at the fabric store and cut it to the lengths I need. I just place it ontop of the media and change it 1-2x/month. It's filthy/blackish when I tank it out(yuk)
So I know that it's working
I do not rinse
I also use it in my koi pond ontop of my Trickle Tower. It catches many fine particles.

 

[oscarbreeder]

I use carbon in the bottom tray.
Peat in the middle tray(polishes water GREAT).
Filter floss in the next tray.
Ceramic rings in the top tray.

Works great on my 55g.
HTH