What filter media do you use in your xp3?

[niks93gt]

In my bottom tray, I have the used filter media I used to seed my tank. The second tray has the black foam pads and the third tray has a white foam pad and the biochem zorb. What does this biochem zorb bag do? And what other media should I have in my XP3?

Nik

[MyCatsDrool]

biochem zorb is a zeolite/activated carbon based filter media that is especially helpful in adsorbing ammonia and clarifying water

[JustOneMore20]

I use the foam pads in the bottom, filter floss and bioballs in the middle and filter floss and more bioballs in the top.

[niks93gt]

What are bioballs?

[theotheragentm]

They are balls that are cut in a way to allow some more surface area for bacteria to grow.

[dapellegrini]

EDIT * Got another pic of bioballs in before I could finish my post...

I use ceramic rings for the same purpose (building up a bacteria colony). I run two xP3's on my 72g each with the black foam at the bottom in a couple of layers (most course to finer), then in the middle bottom I use ceramic rings, middle top use white filter floss and fill the top with white filter floss.

I do not use the Zeolot / Carbon as it is not recommended for planted tanks (removes chemicals that I am adding to fertilize the plants).

HTH

[niks93gt]

I hadn't planned on putting another biochem zorb pack in when it was time to change it... I just wanted the white filter floss plus the black filter... I'll also get some bioballs. Thanks for the info guys!

Nik

[Lonewolfblue]

Bottom basket - Coarse andmedium sponges, 2each.
Middlebasket - Ceramic Rings
Upper basket - Floss