What media for Fluval FX5

[Otorix]

Hi,

I'm getting a Fluval FX5 external cannister filter. It comes with sponges for mechanical filtration. There is space in it for other types of media.

I was after some ideas on what other types of media (eg. bioballs, ceramic noodles) i could put in it as well and what is the best order of putting it in.

Thanks,
Bruce.

[ndoboi]

G'day Bruce,
Im running one of these beasts with fluval biomax in the top 2 baskets and eheim efisubstrate pro in the bottom basket. I wouldnt use bioballs as they dont have the surface area compared to the other imersion designed media (ceramic/sintered glass noodles, matrix, JBL Micromec, etc).

Cheers
Steve

[sharkbaitnemo]

the centre section for these units is normally used for biological and chemical media.
the media in these units are stacked backwards compared to regular canisters so the coarse media like ceramic noodles goes in the top and the fine and chemical media in the bottom.

[Otorix]

Thanks for the advice.

Steve: The FX5 biological volume is 5.9L according to the specs on it - is that broken into 3 baskets so each one is roughly 2L? If so what size packet/s of Fluval Biomax did you need to fill 2 baskets? (The fluval biomax noodles are packaged by weight not volume).

Thanks,
Bruce.

[DeagonTheo]

I wouldnt knock sponges as biological media, as a matter of fact I would say its on a par with most of the more expensive media and does just as good a job, if not better,
Theo

I do use Seachem Matrix, I now have it in stock bulk, $18 Per Kilo.

http://fishsupplies.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=579

[here fishie fishie]

I am a fan of matrix. I also use coarse foam too, {a} because I am lazy {b} as Theo said.

Frenchy :D

[ndoboi]

Roughly 1 litre of the efisubstrate pro for a basket and 1-2 boxes of biomax per basket.

Cheers
Steve