Canister Media

[Idealconcepts]

Hello Everyone,

My question concerns canister Media, I am currently using a Emperor 400 Power filter and an Rena Filstar XP3 Canister for my 130Gal tank. I will be transitioning out the Emperor in a month or so and replacing it with a second XP3. Both XP3's came with a bonus pack of ceramic media rings, which states it is for the bacteria. Now are the ceramic media rings similar to a biowheel? If so, since the rings are white does it mean the bacteria colony has established itself when the rings turn white, similar to a new biowheel? Please let me know if anyone has had experience with ceramic rings?

A second question I have is I have heard and read that it is difficult to gauge how long the affectiveness of charcoal is as a filter media, I have seen ranges between 2 weeks to 6 weeks before the charcoal has to be replaced. Can anyone confirm or comment on this? Also what else can I use as filter media for the XP3 Canister besides charcoal but will have similar or somehat benifits as charcoal? (The XP3 media comes with 2 coarse filters, ceramic rings, charcoal, and 1 fine filter)

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

Bio Wheels are much better for Bacteria colinization since it has more surface area. I would stay away from charcoal since that prevents your fish from growing its maxium size. I use Chemi-Pure bags from Boyd that are poly resin bags & replace them every 3 months.

 

[saberry]

How much surface area would really depend on the amount of ceramic rings you use. I have not used them personally but I understand bio-balls are also good for colonizing bacteria.

I'm curious about the charcoal - what about it keeps fish from growing to their full size? I have never heard that. I would think that not having charcoal to help remove harmful contaminants would be a more likely cause of stunted growth.

 

[Allivymar]

*sits next to saberry and asks the same question*

There is nothing I know of is activated charcoal which affects fish growth, least not in FW tanks. Do you have any documentation on that Fishboy? I'd like to research it.