Filter Medias

[instinctloh]

Hi Bros,

Need some advise here...

I went to Clementi to look for some medias and in the end I did not buy any. I need some advise before I commit as i realised that is not cheap after all.

1) There is some kind of stones as medias which claims that can remove ammonia. I think the packet is enough to fill half or slightly more than half of the Dao Hua tub. Is that sufficient? Is this good? One box easily cost $9.

2) There is another call active carbon same amount as the above but is cheaper $8. Is this useful and is meant for what purpose?

3) How much of medias that we need for my Ehiem canister 2215?

4) Do we really need this 2 if I already have the bio-rings?

Thaks in advance

[JayZee]

Bio rings itself only cultivate beneficial bacteria. It does not remove any nutrients nor other bad substances. I just started using ADA NA carbon. It's quite good i can say. It's used to absorb excessive nutrients and nitrates. 1 box of NA varbon is enough for your filter canister i believe.

[instinctloh]

Bros,

What about the stones like that says that it will removes the ammonia in water.

Should I buy this one?

The carbon are those black in color and machiam like charcoal ones rite???

[instinctloh]

Bros,

The above is really very important to me.. hope need hear from more pros out there to give me sound advises.

Thanks

[Salphur]

Bros,

What about the stones like that says that it will removes the ammonia in water.

Should I buy this one?

The carbon are those black in color and machiam like charcoal ones rite???

I'm not too sure about stones which removes ammonia and how effective they are.

For my cannister filter, i have a layer of filter wool, a black "sponge-like" material (i guess to cultivate bacteria) and ceramic rings at the bottom. My plants are growing well without much problems minus some common algae problems such as green spot algae...

To keep ammonia low in your planted tank is to plant heavily and not to have a high bioload of many fishes.

The carbon that you have mentioned is likely to be activated carbon. I don't have them in my tank or filter as i heard that it absorbs the nutrients from the water. Which defeats the purpose of dosing liquid fertilisers. I think it does help to clear up tank water or reduce any unpleasant smell.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

[bossteck]

Ammonia absorbing stones are most likely zeolite. Google it and you will get all the info you need.

I do not use zeolite nor activated carbon in my filter.

[aquarius]

Don't need to buy carbon or zeolite cause by having enough media, the Beneficial Bacterias will get rid of the ammonia. The bio-rings IMHO probably won't contain enough surface area to have a large colony of BBs. Go get the eheim or biohomme bio-medias which has more surface area though i'm not sure how much your filter needs cause i don't have a 2215.

As for getting rid of nitrates... you can get some floating plants to do the job for you which is what i'm doing for my pleco tank. (it's cheap and effective)

[corywink]

carbon can get expensive because you need to change it every month or so. It absorbs bad stuff but it gets saturated and can't absorb anymore so it needs to be changed. You should cycle your tank first before you add fish. If your tank is cycled you don't need zeolite.

[blue33]

There's a saying in the market, they called it "KISS", you know what? Is "K=keep -> I=It -> S=Simple -> S=Stupid" , i got to know from a old hobbyist(keeping planted tank also)on this, he just put sponge media, nothing but coarse media, he has not changing it for 2yrs, the water is super clear. All the bacteria is living in the coarse media.

[Goodfish]

carbon can be re-use after soaking in hot boiled water.Heard of that?

[juggler]

Zeolite or ammonia removing media is bad for plants. They remove the important macro-nutrient Nitrogen that plant use. This will result in yellowing of your plants and stunted growth. They even absorb the nutrients you dose into the tank.

I have tried before in my early attempts and know its effects.

But if you are keeping discus or some fish in an empty tank, then it is OK.

[dagger13]

how long can the effect last in the canister filter? just wondering

Bio rings itself only cultivate beneficial bacteria. It does not remove any nutrients nor other bad substances. I just started using ADA NA carbon. It's quite good i can say. It's used to absorb excessive nutrients and nitrates. 1 box of NA varbon is enough for your filter canister i believe.