capekate

Im trying to get all my ducks in a row...
Having ordered the Penn Plax 1500 Cascade canister filter I am thinking of the filter media and how I will fill it when it arrives.
I had bought and had plenty of aqua clear sponges and have them in most of my tanks HOBs collecting BB for when needed. I thought that I would 'seed' the new tank with a number of these, including the two bags of bio orbs that are also being seeded in other tanks. Now I realize that the Cascade uses different types of filter media. Will I be able to stuff the seeded media into the Cascade and omit some of the new floss or filter media that will come with the Cascade?
I plan on adding ammonia as well to start the cycle in the new tank when I set it up this weekend, but thought that by adding the seeded media as well would help to speed it up. I hope that I can still use it and not have to use the fresh, new filter media that comes with the Penn Plax and loose the chance of using this great pre seeded BB that is growing on all my sponges now?
Any suggestions?
thanks ~ kate

Shawnie

yes you can use just about anything in the cascade..it comes in baskets...with different layers of the baskets..3 or 4 cant remember lol ....you can put all your seeded material in each basket instead of using what it came with ..or even put a piece of each of your seeded things in each layer with the filter media it came with.....I also added some filter floss to each basket ...and carbon pads...none of that came with it but I choose to have the extra in there...only thing I would be careful about, is not to over load the ammonia as you could kill the seeded media if adding too much...ive always used my established media like as if it was tetra safestart...I added fish with the media...as an example, if you have the media in with bigger waste producing fish, make sure you add the ammonia amounts that you think the fish would be producing..not sure how you do that as ive never gone with the ammonia method..maybe lucy knows....does this make sense at all ? LOL been a long few days haha

capekate

Hi Shawnie.
YES it makes perfect sense to me. I was also wondering whether adding ammonia in with seeded media would kill off the BB. Thank you for addressing that for me. I think I will go with all the seeded sponges and bags that I have including decorations from the established tanks. Im very happy to hear that I can add the seeded media to the canister! Yeaaa
Thanks so much for your help!

Shawnie

your welcome kate!! remember, compared to HOB FILTERS, you are going to go crazy setting up the canister for the first time...dont freak and after 2 or 3 times cleaning it, you will be a pro..I let the intimidation of the canister stop me from trying them for awhile..im so glad I gave in and you will be also!!