Bio Filter Media

I have a biological filter that sits on top of the tank and the filtered water falls into the water from the top, i put about 2 cups of bio rings 1 cup on each side of the filter with the charcoal, wool etc.
Is that amount of bio rings enough for a 250L tank or should I increase the bio media?

 

u should take the AC out if u have plants , i did it and my plants are doing much better

 

I don't have any real plants being a community tank plants don't ever stand a chance, 1 month and their in shreads! Even if i feed them veg flakes, spiralina etc, they still seem to love giving me extra work. Kids i tell you!!!!

 

what type of filter is that?

when you say bio rings, do you mean the "ceramic" white/off-white cylindrical pieces?

 

I'm trying to put in pictures with dimensions but I'm battling.

 

Erm....me thinks something went wrong here :hmmmm:

 

On the subject I recently read on Fluval's page that you should replace ceramic rings every three months.

I have never replaced mine, and haven't had a problem, so I'm wondering what would be the reason for this?

 

I also haven't changed mine and it's been 5 months the only thing is i don't know whether i have enough in the filter to carry the load.

 

I've never replaced mine either - rinse them out in some of the water removed during water changes and that's it......?????

 

give me the brand name and model number and I'll try to check it out quickly...

 

Ok! The tank is made by Auqa-H20 and the model is the UFO-700.

 

http://www.aquah2o.co.za/products/productdetails.aspx?product=1745

 

Okay, checked it out quickly on aqua h20 site...

it appears to be really a trickle type filter which would best be suited for bio balls as the water probably simply falls through the media? I'm assuming you using a standard size cup which is equivalent to 250ml? If thats the case then you have in total +/- 500ml of filter media in there...

I recommend Eheim Substrat Pro. I use 1L for 300L of aqurium water. I would suggest you use this media in both compartments of the filter with a layer of filter wool above it where the water comes into contact first which will remove large particles in the water and detritus. Eheim substrat Pro is perfect for bio filtration! My only concern is that you will only have 500ml of it in your filter so you will have to monitor the water parameters and keep stock to a mininum. If you stock heavy then I would recommend you upgrade to an external cannister filter that can hold all the correct filter media in the right quantity for your tank!

HTH

 

Yes the tank is heavely stocked. What do you think of the fluval external cannister filter? Or do you have a good recommedation for me?

 

Fluval FX5? This filter rates well against the Eheim Pro III. Disadvantage with the Fluval is the reduced filter media capacity due to the heavy layer of foam/sponge media around the wall of the filter.

If price is a question, then the Eheim Classic 2217 is excellent value for money and will probably be cheaper than the FX5.

 

Fish Fantasy mine doesn't exactly split like that, it all shares one compartment, but I just have the base covered in ceramic media up to the water line, and then I have filter mat on top to stop the initial debris.

Has been working just fine for the past couple of years without problems. I just buy some Akwa filter mat and cut out a new piece every other month.

In between I just wash it out with the hose as I drain the tank.

 

Dolphin you cant really list the FX5, Pro3 and 2217 in the same sentance.... 3 totally dif filters

 

Henk, if you read FishFantasy's post you'll note that he's not specified which fluval... I've simply taken the current most popular fluval and compared it with the eheim in its category...

The filter I've advised is the 2217... there's simply not one sentence in my post.

 

Don't stress Henk I knew what Dolphin was telling me, and the filters look and sound excellent but they look pricey so what i'm going to do is have a look at a range of the filters he suggested, the 2217 sounds great but looks terrible so i'll get more specs and more info so i can ask more questions and work form there . Thanks guys much appreciated will be asking some more questions later.

 

Try the Tera-Tech range, from 600l/h to 2400l/h