Filter setup on my first tank

Ok I am just about to start my fishless cycle on my tank.

I have a 60 gallon tank and I have a AC 70 and a AC 110 to use. I have all the filter media that came with them as well.

Ive been told that the carbon might not be needed as much as maybe more bio filters.

So I have been looking at just buying the big box/bags of ceramic bio filter stuff and putting them in bags myself.

What size bags would I need for my AC 70 and what size for the AC 110? Dimensions for the bag.

I am looking at the Fluval Biomax and the Seachem Matrix currently slight leaning towards the matrix currently.

Or would it be better to just buy a 2nd Biomax filter made for the AC 70 and 110 and just throw it in on top of everything else and pass on making my own and what not?

Planning on doing the sponge then Biomax filter then a second Bio filter currently.

Ive seen online the little minI sponges or something called Poly Floss filter pad or something like that. Is that something I should get to put in between the sponge and the biomax?

Should I keep the Carbon filter?

 

HI Welcome to FishLore!

The only time I use carbon is to remove meds, discoloration, smells. It's not necessary for daily use.

Your sponge can be used over and over until it literally falls to pieces. Be sure to rinse it in used tank water when necessary to rinse it. This will preserve your beneficial bacteria.

Carol

 

As Butterfly said, the carbon isn't necessary. However, it will help with water clarity also. For that reason, I use it in my tank.

I have a 55 gallon and use 2 AC70 (actually the Fluval model (not the c-series)). I use the sponge that comes with them and I rinse both of them out at every water change. I use the biomax that came with both and swish them out in the old tank water during water changes to remove any detritus that is one them. Then I use carbon in one and Purigen in the other. Purigen also works to improve water clarity and purifies the water in a way. It also absorbs nitrates from the tank.

I don't think it would be necessary to add more biomax than you already have. Are you planning to run both the AC70 and AC110 on this 60 gallon tank? If so, then unless you planning to stuff it full of goldfish and plecos, there's not much need for more biological filtration media.

 

How often do you need to change the Purigen? Does it come in little bags like the other media or do you have to buy bags to put it in?

 

Purigen can be recharged with a soak in bleach followed by a good wash

 

Anyone had any experience between the Biomax and Matrix media? Trying to decide which one I should go with.

 

How often do you need to change the Purigen? Does it come in little bags like the other media or do you have to buy bags to put it in?

The Purigen lasts anywhere from 2 to 6 months, depending on your water and your stocking. You can buy it in pre-made packages, or buy it in bulk and bag it yourself. When you change it out, you don't have to throw it away. There is very specific directions for recharging the Purigen on Seachem's website. Some people on here don't do the recharge because of the bleach, however if you follow the directions, it will work just fine and is perfectly safe. If you smell bleach on it after recharging it, then you can repeat the process, skipping the bleach step, and it should be okay.

Anyone had any experience between the Biomax and Matrix media? Trying to decide which one I should go with.

Yes, I use Fluval Biomax in all my filters. Never had a problem with it. My dad uses Matrix in his canister filter, considering his stocking level, it does very well.

 

There would be no problems using both Biomax and Matrix right?

Ive been considering getting a bottle of Matrix and some bags. I could probably fit an extra bag of biomedia in my filters anyway so I could stack a bag of each in there.

Also anyone tried this filter floss before? Would this work the same as the pillow batting stuff? I like the idea of something that will hold its shape better and is cuttable instead of just packing a bunch of polyfill in there.