What media will "polish" my water

[henpecked]

Hi,

I use an Emperor 400 and an AC110 on my 75g discus tank. My water is good and very clean, but I would like to know what media you guys recommend that I can add to my 2 filters to get that crystal clear look.

PS:I don't use RO.

Thanks

[Schergeil]

Hey,
Carbon - the very fine one...

[Jason]

hot magnum, vortex freedom filter, snd system 1 pressure filrer by Rena, should give your tank a good polish.

[David Rose]

I would recommend a fine micro filter pad from another manufacturer as a make-shift insert to try first. They would require more frequent rinsing.

Some folks would use a micron filter such as a Vortex XL periodically as well, but personally, I like the Rena XP3 now after trying it, which you can purchase micro filters to use rather than the labor intensive Vortex.

Are you using pre-filters on your intake tubes as well?

[zamboniMan]

Hey,
Carbon - the very fine one...

I second that.

Or get a Magnum 350 and use the micron filter with a prefilter, and one of those fuzzy blue sleeves over it. This helps prevent it from clogging to an extent.

[David Rose]

Activated carbon will not really polish water and I think most discus keepers only use AC intermittently to remove medications.

I have both the Emperor 400 and a AC70. Pre-filters are a must and for the Emperor, I purchased extra empty media cartridges and have Eheim substrat for biological filtration and a fine floss in the second for mechanical to work with the pre-filter.

[Sharkbait]

I've always been curious about this too. My water isn't 'too' bad. Right now when I remove it, it's just has a very very faint tinge to it (probably from driftwood). I'm wanting to enhance the colour of the tank as well, so I'm hoping that when I switch out two 6700k lights for 10000k lights the colours will pop.

But anyway, for clarity...I run a Fluval FX5 on my 90 gallon planted. I don't run AC because it takes away the ferts that I dose. All I have for media are bioballs and sponge pads. I saw these "polishing pads" from fluval but I've heard that they are actually bad for the tank if you keep them in longer than a few days. Something about killing the bacteria I think.

What would you recommend for the FX5? or are all 'polishers' universal for all filters?

[henpecked]

Thank you all for all the responses. Obviously, I'm not the only one who has thought about this. I will do some research on pre-filters and micron filters.

[David Rose]

You might want to consider fine filter media sheets that are easily rinsed such as these at Jehmco. I would check our our sponsors on SD as well. I know Hans sells something that is great and similar to below.

Just cut to size, layer various types if you wish in a canister, and you're good. Doesn't Fluval have something like this available?

http://www.jehmco.com/html/accessories___media.html

[dpt8]

A Polypad is excellent for poilishing water.. sold at fish supply places such as ThatPet, etc.

[jeff@zina.com]

The classic is diatomaceous earth. Haven't seen it in the aquarium hobby for years. Personally, I use a HOT Magnum withe the micron filter.

Jeff

[David Rose]

The classic is diatomaceous earth. Haven't seen it in the aquarium hobby for years. Personally, I use a HOT Magnum withe the micron filter.

Jeff

There are a number of folks on SD that have posted using DE and or the Vortex XL and love it. I'm not a fan however of the Vortex XL and think it's a PITA to handle, so it is sitting in storage collecting dust even though I waited months to get it on back order.

I've heard that the HOT Magnum does a great job, but I already have a Magnum 350 Deluxe and have had it for years. I tried the micron filter and it works well, but I found that using a micro polishing pad right in my HOB or canister works pretty darn well too without having to buy a different fitler all together.

[rich815]

Buy a pouch of Purigen, put it in one of your filters with your media (make room by removing some media if needed. Get ready to be blown away the next day.

[rich815]

Here's a link to the 100ml pouches I buy. I have one in each of my canisters.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...its=12&offset=

[henpecked]

Wow! Thanks to everyone for all your input. Glad to see I am not the only one obsessed with these fish and all that goes with it.

Rich, thanks for the link. Learned a lot from this thread.