Hey,
Carbon - the very fine one...
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
Hey,
Carbon - the very fine one...
"There are 2 ways to do it - my way and the right way"
Schergeil
hot magnum, vortex freedom filter, snd system 1 pressure filrer by Rena, should give your tank a good polish.
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?
Greater Cincinnati Aquarium Society
Horticulture Awards Program Chair
I do things my way because they work for me sorry if you disagree.
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.
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?
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.
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
A Polypad is excellent for poilishing water.. sold at fish supply places such as ThatPet, etc.
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.
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.
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=
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.