Media Placement in Eheim 2217

[Phillipians]

Dear all,

I have just restarted a tank 2 weeks back. I decided that I wasnt using quality media in my 2217 ( previously 1 L of Substrat pro + 2 + Litres of ceramic rings)

Decided to change the ceramic rings to Seachem Matrix after looking at some of the recommendations. Biohome is just too expensive. I went to get 2 L of Seachem matrix but to my surprise, after using those netted bags to hold the media, I was left with the ability only to squeeze in 1 and 1/4 L of the seachem I bought. In the end I end up with less media though.. 1L Substrat pro and 1.25L seachem matrix. I thought 2217 holds 6L of media?

How do you guys do it? I spent 2 back breaking hours arranging and also restarting the "primeless" 2217... almost died. Thinking that I need to reorg the media again kills me... The cupboard has been wet a few times already.

Currently from top to bottom
Blue sponge
1L Substrat Pro
1.25 L Matrix
Sponge

No more space.... not even for white wool...

[thebaldingaquarist]

6 litres refer to the volume of the canister.
If you are not using the trays and just dumping all the filter in without bags or stuff, you should be able to fit 5 litres.

[Phillipians]

Serious? 5L ? Meaning do away with 2 blue sponge filterS? Just whack all the substrat pro and seachem matrix + 1 blue sponge i presume.

Seriously looking at the space... 5L is still a little too crazy to stuff... almost impossible ...

[thebaldingaquarist]

i meant to do away with everything, meaning even the bottom and top separator trays... which i do not recommend.

Between the top and bottom trays, i would say ... probably 4 litres? i never measured the media i have in my filters.. maybe next time i should....

[Phillipians]

Just went to reconfigure my tank. Took out one blue sponge. Added in the remaining seachem matrix.
Think its the bag i put the media in that doesnt allow the shape to form in the container well. As of now,

Bottom to top:
1) 10+ ceramic rings (old rings with good bacteria) Just for seeding
2) Blue sponge
3) 2L seachem matrix
3) 1 L Eheim substrat pro
4) Coarse sponge

Thats as far as I can squeeze in.

[erwinx]

I'm wondering whether 1 layer of blue sponge before the Seachem Matrix is sufficient to 'protect' the Matrix from being clogged?

For my Ecco Pro, the first filter is the usual Blue Sponge, and I put another coarse sponge before the bio media. Rinsing the coarse sponge turns the water a dark brown, so I presume the coarse sponge is filtering away some stuff that would otherwise clog my bio media....

[Phillipians]

I placed a thin layer of ceramic rings and hope that helps in getting the bigger pieces first.