PETEYPLECO Posted January 17, 2006 Report Share Posted January 17, 2006 I have a fluval 204 external filter that has been running for 3 to 4 months (yes I have changed the carbon in this time) and I have decided to remove the carbon which leaves me with just the biomax in the lower basket. I now want to increase the media area in the now empty two other baskets and I am wondering what are some of your usual setups for this type of filter. Please give me some idea of what media to add and in which position in the filter lower, middle or top baskets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted January 17, 2006 Report Share Posted January 17, 2006 keep the sponges as these will take out the smaller particles and fill the baskets with noodles and ehiem substrate. Done it with my 4 fluvals and they work a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted January 17, 2006 Report Share Posted January 17, 2006 Yup, what Wok said. Lots and lots of ceramic noodles in my Fluvals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 I have done likewise in my 404, new noodles start in the top basket, and each sponge wash I move them down one and replace the top ones with ones that I have cleaned really well. If you let the sponges get too blocked up then the crap will clog up the baskets starting at the bottom which is my reasoning for having the cleanest at the top so at least thats still working. The stuff I take out of the bottom I wash under the tap, let dry out totally then repeat the process a couple of times, ends up pretty clean and then ready for when I do the next sponge clean. I accumulate it and wash it a twice a year or so. Noodles are good because if you do neglect it and they clocg up there is still gaps, where as the small ball like stuff tends to block right up and not let much water thru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 I would personally only rinse the noodles just to help with the flow, NOT clean them completely I only give the baskets a quick rinse and then give the sponges a good was out. the gunk contains the good bacteria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 the gunk contains the good bacteria Minimizes the surface area tho, which is what counts at the end of it. when the pores of the noodles are full of goldfish poo it doesnt work as well. I was really aprihensive about the amonia level the first time I did it, but the "spike" was a barely differnt from the first square of the test sheet about a day after I did it so nothing to worry about. just makes me feel better to know that its all clean in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 As I said, don't rinse ALL of it out... most of it to get the flow back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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