michael.qian Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Picking up the Fluval 405 I won on Trademe tomorrow, it's new and I got it for $142 (lucky lol) from a $1 reserve auction. Anyway it comes with carbon, should I use it or not? I've heard it can absorb nutrients plants need to grow and it needs to be replaced quite often, which might be a hassle. I have a fairly planted tank, with cabomba, E. Osiris, a few Amazon swords, java fern and some val grass. If it's not neccessary to use carbon what should I put instead of carbon instead? Or just leave that space in the filter empty? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I'd just fill the space for the carbon up with bio media, I don't see the need to run carbon unless you're specifically trying to removing something like meds or tannins from the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I dont use carbon unless im trying to achieve something.. Ie removal of med's etc.. I brought a 5kg bag of it ages and ages ago (because when I first started keeping fish 10 years ago I always used it) and haven't used stuff all of it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted September 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 I probably won't use it then, wasn't really planning to anyway. I'll buy more bio media if it doesn't come with enough to that empty space as well. what sort of media? rings? bioballs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 pumice works well (as far as I can tell without seeing the bacteria) and its cheap.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 pumice works well (as far as I can tell without seeing the bacteria) and its cheap.. Id 2nd that Works fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Doesn't it float? Scoria would also work, and shouldnt float either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Doesn't it float? Scoria would also work, and shouldnt float either. Yep it floats, thats not much of a prob Scoria does something to your water doesnt it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Not sure eh, anyone? The floating thing is a problem for me as I wanted to add some big pieces to my sump to increase the 'wet' surface area (there's already plenty of 'dry' media above the water lever). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Im sure its quite acidic You could weigh the pumice down some how. Under a glass box? Tied down in a bag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Who cares if it floats? Unless they've changed the 405s significantly from the 404s the media trays are completely enclosed. So unless you have either pumice that's small enough to fit through the slots in the trays or it floats so well the cannister will be carried away it's a complete non issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Since we only see pumice in the bathtub down here in the real world, can pumice be drowned by holding it under water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 Who cares if it floats? The floating thing is a problem for me as I wanted to add some big pieces to my sump to increase the 'wet' surface area (there's already plenty of 'dry' media above the water lever). :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted September 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 ok just got it. Looks like I'll have to buy some more media if I don't want to use the carbon. There are four baskets, 2 of them is for cabon. I think I'll buy some bio-balls maybe or a polishing sponge. Gotta say build quality I thought was a little disappointing, most of it seems to be common cheap plastic, the Eheim 2224 I got before was definitely better built and feels tougher with stronger materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 the Fluval 03 series I still think is the best. but the 04 / 05 method of taking the pipes off is nice and quick. I would get some ehiem substrate to go in the 2 baskets. works a treat.. doesn't clog easily and you don't have to do any maintenance for around 12 months. :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted September 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 just went into fish shop, turns out there isn't too many options to replace it with, the guy in the shop said with a fine filter sponge it clogs easily and affects the water flow, which I thought of as well so decided not to get that. so in the end I decided to give carbon a go, if it turns out good then I'll just use it but otherwise I'll replace it in a few weeks time. anyway just rinsing the carbon mesh bags, the water comes out black, or dark grey because of the black carbon, is this normal? I'm a bit worried it'll turn my water black? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 That's normal - keep rinsing it until it stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidb Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 why not use the wide nylony sponge stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted September 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 got it running now. Flow is definitely very very strong, causing more disturbance than I hoped for. But can I adjust the lever upwards a little to reduce flow rate? It's the Aqua Stop valve, would this do any harm? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 I wouldn't try and restrict it flow is good unless your fish are going round and round in circles like a washing machine.. If you need to difuse it just turn the spray bar so the jets are going into the side of the tank.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted September 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 The manual says I can adjust the flow but not with lever more than half way up. It doesn't have a spray bar, just a open end, so it's like a jet of water shooting into my tank. Could I fit a spraybar on it? do fish shops sell them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 You could make one.. Just get a piece of pipe the right size and drill some holes in it block one end.. Or just goto a pet shop and buy one id probably refuse the pay what they want for one but im a cheap ass.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted September 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 think I definitely need a spray bar. mainly worried about the fish might not like the strong current, and cabombas are kind of swaying in the current which might kill them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Your loaches should love the current, if you're worried about the plants just aim it away from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted September 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 David R you are a genius The solution was so damn obvious, but no... I just had to stare it at and go "OH NO the current is TOOOOOOOOO strong.." As soon as I read your post I realised I could twist the output nozzle. But usually I'm smarter than this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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