Question on canister filters?

[polcat]

I just purchased a Aqua-top CF500 for my 55g. This filter has 4 media trays. One I have the filters in, second I am running carbon, third and fourth I am running bio-balls in. Just curious what any one else is using on theirs. Also how much active carbon is a good amount to use. It came with 500 grams so that is what I am using at the moment. Another quick questions(newbie with canisters). On each tray is their suppose to be a filter? I am just using 3 filters in the bottom tray and media in the other three. Thanks for any suggestions here.

 

[KaylNeko]

A lot of people don't use carbon other than removing tannins and medication. I have a canister filter that will hopefully be up and running soon here that I have poly-fil on the intake side. In the baskets, I have bio-media, with one layer of poly-fil at the very top right before it returns to the tank as an extra polishing pad. Pretty much same set up in my HOB.

 

[blert]

I have an Aquatop CF400UV. It came with a coarse pad, three fine cotton pads, bag-o-carbon and bio-balls. I have it set up so...

Bottom tray - coarse pad, medium pad I cut myself from bulk media, fine cotton pad.
Middle tray - fine cotton pad, bag-o-ceramic rings.
Top tray - fine cotton pad, bag-o-ceramic rings.

I saved the carbon for possible future med removal. Bio-balls are more for a wet/dry filter not a canister so I used those in my DIY CO2 reactor.

 

[polcat]

Sorry I am using Ceramic-balls in the top two trays. I read that people don't always use the carbon. So what would be best use in its place?. Is their a advantage to using both bio-balls and ceramic-balls?

 

[polcat]

Ok...I am using the white coarse pads. Probably will get some blue fine ones this weekend. Or sooner

 

[Mumma.of.two]

I have 3 aquatop canisters. I run a course sponge in the bottom tray, floss in the middle and biomedia in the top in the 3 tray models and course sponge in the bottom, floss in the second tray and biomedia in the last two for the 4 tray models. I find doing it this way keeps the biomedia cleaner.
I kept the carbon for future use if needed.

 

[KaylNeko]

I read that people don't always use the carbon. So what would be best use in its place?.

Bio-media

 

[polcat]

Were is a good place to get the blue filter pads?

 

[blert]

Were is a good place to get the blue filter pads?

LFS. Buy a bag of bulk for about six bucks. Use one of your white pads to make a cardboard pattern then just cut the pattern out of the bulk media.

 

[polcat]

Appreciate all the help and suggestions...I have live plants to in my aquarium...maybe taking out the carbon will help them live longer...