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canisterfilter tray- what to put in place of carbon

1K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  rameshg 
#1 ·
Running a Fluval 206 canister and an Aqueon QuietFlow 30 HOB in my 25 gal. I am looking for suggestions for media to put in the tray that has actvd carbon now. Also, on the HOB I pulled the carbon out and put in filter floss recently. All this because, I have been reading how carbon is not that necessary and that it needs to be replaced every couple of weeks etc…
I am planning to clean my canister every 4 months (lazy!). Is that OK? What’s a good agreeable schedule? And what’s a good filter media alternative for the canister carbon tray that would last few months or more? I have purchased Purigen bag, but I haven’t used it yet. Other trays in the canister have ceramic rings and foam.
I had been replacing carbon in my HOB once a month. Any suggestions for the HOB – in addition to fliter floss?
To clarify, the canister was added recently less than 2 months ago…
BTW, I do PWC every week about 20%. My tank is moderately planted.
Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
I run dual canisters on my larger tanks and only clean them twice a year. 4 months could be okay - it really depends on the stock you have an more importantly the way the filter is set up. All of my canisters have the same setups - fluval prefter ceramic media in the first tray. This catches large particles so that they don't clog the finer medias. Next are the sponges. Then the rest of the trays are filled with biomax. I know fluvals are a little different because you have the have the sponges first.

If I were to use carbon with your setup, it would be in the HOB for ease of replacement. I am one that used to use carbon years ago. I stopped with ever intention of resuming its use if I noticed a change. Well I didn't, so I didn't.
 
#3 ·
Currently, my tank is low in stock - rasboras (7), cardinals (3) & neons (2). Of course I plan to add more. 7 more cards in QT now for about a week. I agree, I will use carbon or purigen on my HOB for ease of removal. Yes, Fluval has biofoam lower tray, ceramic rings in the middle and carbon on top, but they can be changed.... Thanks.
 
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