aquaclear media

[Meredith]

I have the aquaclear 70 on my tank. I took out the ceramic noodle things it came with so the only filter media I have in there at the moment are sponges. I am noticing a lot of crud floating around in my tank. What media do you fellow ac keepers use?

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

I may not have an AC filter, but I do have 2 cannisters which operate on the same flow principle.

1) Fluval 304 uses Sponge -> Floss -> Matrix (bio media) -> Floss

2) Custom uses Matrix -> Sponge -> Floss and more floss.

I always stack media coarse -> fine and it seems to keep the water clear and requires changing less often (less likely to clog)

 

[Bhunsucker]

I have a AC70 on one tank and a AC 110 on the other. I use the sponge that came with it 100% pollster pillow stuffing for filter floss and I keep the bio rings on top.

 

[malkore]

I run 2 sponges in all my AC filters.

 

[Meredith]

Malkore, does it seem like there are a bunch of little particles floating around in your tank with just the sponges?

 

[kay-bee19]

I've found the AC filters to be excellent at mechanical filtration.

How often is the sponge you have in there cleaned?

Any reason why you're not using the bio-media? (the ceramic noodles)

 

[degbowl]

Put some Purigen in "The Bag" and put that in the filter. That makes my water crystal clear.

 

[BillD]

If you want to run cleaner with the AC filters, run 2 sponges ( as Malkore said) and add a layer of batting (either the roll stuff or the loose) between the 2. If you have the rings, leave them in, too.

 

[Meredith]

I have 2 sponges in and I took the noodles out because I was getting a lot of back flow out the intake side. My sponges get rinsed at every waterchange, about once a week. Purigen is ok to use with the plants?

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Purigen is ok to use with the plants?

Yes, it is fine to use. You can also buy 100ml bags (no need to buy a jar + "the bag") Just keep an eye on your nitrates, it strips the water of dissolved organics.