horsensnowrider

YaHoo!!! Looks like my resealing job on the used 90g tank I bought is a success. Ready to set up & start cycling by next week.....

I have a Penn Plax Cascade 1200 canister filter, water from the tank pumps from the bottom up then back into the tank. Instructions say to go from coursest media to finest, bottom to top. Filter came with a sponge, charcoal (which I know not to use except after using any medications), and 2 different "gauges" of floss. There are 5 media baskets for the filter.

Question: I bought Bio-Rings and plan to use some of the gravel from my existing 20g tank to jump start the bacteria. OK, I know the floss should go last, finest on top, then next down the courser floss.
What order should I do the sponge, bio-rings and gravel?
I'm thinking the sponge on the bottom to catch the really cruddy stuff first, then what?
Also, once the tank has cycled, what do you suggest I replace the gravel with? More bio-rings maybe?

Thanks

susitna-flower

HI, I assume instructions came with the filter. Can't really picture it....

I would choose a different kind of filter material once you are ready to replace the gravel. Nothing wrong with what you have, just to change up the water flow, you will want to research which has the most "surface" to be colonized with bacteria. I like the Eheim filter material, they have several, I use the small balls. Anything that will be easy to work with.