Habitat - Indoor :: what media to use in filter

[coopville]

I have a Rena XP1 cleaning about 45 gallons,Iknow its a little small but its what came with the tank. right now there is the thin top piece, almost grey in color. then A filter bag, not sure which one dont think it was the biochem one, think is what carbon, then two thick black filters. Im not sure what these are or if they are what i want. I see people talk about biochem stuff. will that work in the XP1? Help me out guys. just looking for the best for Donatello!

[steve]

I think this is a diagram for the XP1


You do need the black foam material and you can add so bio media (they show half bio-chem stars and ceramic rings in the picture). You don't need the micro-filtration pad if you're using it (the thing on top).

[coopville]

I think that by taking out the micro pad I might have enough room to cram some stars and rings in. Do I need a certain amount? The carbon filter takes up lots of room in there...

[steve]

You can get rid of the carbon too. Carbon, once saturated with impurities, no longer has any effect. If it's used... then it's probably done, but if it's new, then you can change it out when you do everything else.

[coopville]

ok thanks. And then do I need anything to go ontop of the stars and rings?

[papoopeepoo]

ok thanks. And then do I need anything to go ontop of the stars and rings?

I've had recent success in nitrate reduction by using lava rock as a secondary biological filter media. The larger chunks I use (1.5-2" diameter) harbor anaerobic bacteria very well. The lava rock is a great addition to your sintered glass/ceramic rings bio media.

[Marcus.85]

ok thanks. And then do I need anything to go ontop of the stars and rings?

I've had recent success in nitrate reduction by using lava rock as a secondary biological filter media. The larger chunks I use (1.5-2" diameter) harbor anaerobic bacteria very well. The lava rock is a great addition to your sintered glass/ceramic rings bio media.

Really? DO you think I could use some in one of my filters? If you remember I have the high nitrates issue..
What kind of lava rocks are those? Did you get them at a store? Thanks

[papoopeepoo]

I found mine as a big chunk of lava rock as I was walking near the train tracks. I boiled it, let it dry about a week, and took a hammer and chisel to it. It's been in the final section of my filter for about 6 weeks and nitrate levels are steadily dropping even without water changes.

You should be able to buy it in stores, but I'm sure your local pet store will have it really overpriced. Check home depot, they may have the type some people use as heat retainers in propane BBQs.

[Marcus.85]

I found mine as a big chunk of lava rock as I was walking near the train tracks. I boiled it, let it dry about a week, and took a hammer and chisel to it. It's been in the final section of my filter for about 6 weeks and nitrate levels are steadily dropping even without water changes.

You should be able to buy it in stores, but I'm sure your local pet store will have it really overpriced. Check home depot, they may have the type some people use as heat retainers in propane BBQs.

Thanks, I'll definitely try that. I think you're right, if anaerobic bacteria can in fact live on the lava rock, then they would definitely lower the nitrate level, since they're the only kind (as far as aquarium bacteria go) known to feed on them .