Filter matters for New external canister

[ziege]

Hi, I've considering what to put my new external canister. Currently in 2nd day of cycling my newly set-up planted tank (non-Co2) with some old ceramic rings.

Questions:
1. What's the effect of putting activated carbon? Will it suck up all the nutrients or just 'bad' chemicals?

2. Anti-ammonia rock- Saw LFS selling this, supposing removing ammonia and maintaining pH value. How does this work?

3. I have 2 'dishes' for filter matters in my canister. What is recommended?
2 x ceramic ring or something else?

[michael lai]

Hi Ziege,
1) activated carbon takes out everything! good or bad.
2) forget the ammonia stone....forget miracle stone no short cut for water chemistry except good husbandry.
3) use ehiem substrate pro or biohomme.

2 trays,
1 tray for bigger materials, ceramic rings( go for sintered glass )or biohomme.
next tray smaller materials like ehiem substrate pro, these manner they act as a mechanical filter also.

[ziege]

Hi Ziege,
1) activated carbon takes out everything! good or bad.
2) forget the ammonia stone....forget miracle stone no short cut for water chemistry except good husbandry.
3) use ehiem substrate pro or biohomme.

2 trays,
1 tray for bigger materials, ceramic rings( go for sintered glass )or biohomme.
next tray smaller materials like ehiem substrate pro, these manner they act as a mechanical filter also.

Thanks! Looks like more shopping and pocket burning tomorrow!

Btw, currently cycling with no fish, i'm worried if my plants will survive this period.

I'm using normal gravel + base fert, 100% conditioned tap water and 15W FL.

I also have Seachem Excel and Flourish, which i've not dosed yet.

Any advises at this point?

[michael lai]

You can add the fish later but start the ferts regiment now. I'll not go into details here as you will be like "HUH??!" The moment you start seeing algae growth stop your ferts. Please follow recommended dosage. either your ferts dosage are off or too much light. I'm assuming there is CO2 here, the timing must be regular throughout( very important ). Have fun...

[ziege]

Its non Co2, and i intend to use Excel at minimal. Is SeaChem Floride enough for ferts? Based on calculation, my lighting is 0.625W/G (15W / 80% * 30G), too low for even for non-co2?

p/s Sorry for asking silly questions. Have been reading up. But kinda need a direct response for assurance

[michael lai]

Hi Ziege,
You don't have to apologise but it's risky business starting with low tech. A thousand and 1 things could happen, anyway things move in "really" slow manner in low tech( except for algae ) so got to experiment here. Still the same words, have fun...

[yck]

Hi, I've considering what to put my new external canister. Currently in 2nd day of cycling my newly set-up planted tank (non-Co2) with some old ceramic rings.

Questions:
1. What's the effect of putting activated carbon? Will it suck up all the nutrients or just 'bad' chemicals?

2. Anti-ammonia rock- Saw LFS selling this, supposing removing ammonia and maintaining pH value. How does this work?

3. I have 2 'dishes' for filter matters in my canister. What is recommended?
2 x ceramic ring or something else?

1. activited carbon is to get rid of foul smell and everything . it usually use for after starting up tank. pls do note that activitied carbon is used only up to 14 days

2.No need to use that one.

3. u have to cycle your tank for at least 2 weeks before putting fishes.\

i recommand eheim sub. pro i am selling a new packet , u can check my posting in the market session .

[ziege]

Thanks all! I've got myself 2 packets of Biohomme + 1 cheap packet of stone (no $$ for eheim substrate pro alr) and ouch, it hurts! My pockets i mean

[nys]

Imho, Biohome or hi-end ($$$) media may not necessary in planted tank.

If moderate-heavy planted + not high bioload, reasonable pricing cemaric rings (Mr Aqua) are enough.