Filter requirements

[new2discus]

Hi all, I'm in the process of setting up a 4x2x2ft (430lt) tank as a planted discus tank. I have 2 x Fluval 404 filters, will this be enough? What kind of filter medium should i have in each?

Thanks in advance

[Caryl]

That should be plenty. I would use filter wool and lots of ceramic noodles.

[new2discus]

Thanks, Probably stupid question but would you put wool only in one filter and ceramic noodles in the other or both in each?? Would this make one filter purely biological and the other mechanical? is it true that you shouldn't put carbon into filters for discus tanks?

Sorry for all the questions!

[Caryl]

I would put both in both.

Carbon is NOT really necessary unless you are wanting to remove meds from the water. It is a personal decision though. I am a scrooge so I never use carbon 8)

[Discusguru]

Caryl, I think you meant carbon are not necessary.

I don't use carbon either.

ron

[Caryl]

Oops, yes Ron. Edited now :oops:

[herefishiefishie]

I would load up one with noodles in the bottom few trays & coarse foam in the top tray.

The other I would use with noodles & dacron in the top tray. Dacron is better, dosen't clog as quick, holds it shape better too.

Filter wool clogs really quick, meaning that you have to take apart the canister more often.{ I hate using filter wool :lol: }

For those that say they don't, well the filter wool once dirty is useless. The water just runs around it, therefore the wool isn't collecting the fine particles at all.

Frenchy

[sharn]

ive got thick sponge, filter wool and noodles in mine but i have a coarse sponge block over the intakes to catch any larger particles and that gets rinsed every time i clean the discus tank (every 3 days :lol: ). Its amazing how much crud i get out of them

[Wok]

I would use the sponges supplied

ceramic noodles and eheim substrate.

this is what I use in all my filters.

[new2discus]

Thanks everyone