Up and Runnin...

Bryson06

Alright ive got that bad boy full of water. I conditioned the water, got my ammonia to 5ppm. Now ive got my rena xp2 pumping. ive got a question about it... It came with a pouch called Bio Chem Zorb says its for organic removal, eliminates odours, absorbs toxic wastes, and leaves water crystal clear... Ok the xp2 has 4 filtration compartments, they sell a number of differnt pouchs that perform different tasks.... such as Nitra Zorb- eliminates nitrates. Phos Zorb-eliminates phosphates and silicates. Bio-Chem star-is a bilogical filtration media. and a Ceramic Rings pouch also biological filtration.... Do I need to put any of these in my canister?? Thanks for all help everyone I really appreciate it! Im sure im gonna have more questions as I go...lol

Lupin

Bio Chem Zorb sounds more like activated carbon. Don't use it until necessary. Store the Nitra-Zorb and Phos Zorb until necessary.
You can place the Ceramic Rings in your filter.
What material is the Bio-Chem Star?

Bryson06

ahh man i already put the bio chem zorb in... I was just following the directions in the book that came with the filter... bio chem- "stars"- says 20 times more efficent than conventional ceramics... So im guessin its ceramic also. blue, on the sticky about fishless cycling step 2 under tha process it says add established backterial sources... what dose that mean?

Lupin

This will answer your question.:)
That is if you want to speed up the cycle. Get an established filter media from your lfs and add it to your filter. Make sure it's disease-free.
Remove the Bio-Chem Zorb. Just store it in the plastic bag and in your cabinet.

Bryson06

Will the system be ok with out any ceramic stars until tomorrow night? So How do I know if the media they give me is disease free? and should I take a sponge and a plastic bag with me? or what.

Lupin

It's ok. Just fill your filter with floss and foam for awhile.
Look for tanks which have no dead or diseased fish. As there won't be any fish for awhile, the chances of the parasites surviving is quite low although better to be safe by choosing a disease-free media than not to.

You may try to bring the sponge(new and unused one) if you want. Your lfs will usually have a plastic bag anyway. Then tell them to put it with water and oxygen to allow the bacteria to survive.

Bryson06

floss and foam?? Its got 4 layers of 20 and 30 ppi foam and a micro_filtration pad...which is white and the foam is black. is the micro pad the floss?

Lupin

Seems your filter is now ok then. All you need to do is add your bacterial source.

Bryson06

cool.. so i dont need to clean out the filter until i put fish in?

Lupin

No need to clean the filter. Clean it only when your fish have reach a month of living in the tank. But since you're still in the process of cycling, you have to wait until you can get the fish.
Good luck, mate.:)