Fluval 306 Canister Filter

Hello everyone,

I have a Fluval 306 canister filter and was wondering if what where the 3 best filter media to put in it is. If there really isn't 3 best ones then I would like to know what you use for your canister filter.

I have:
Fluval Carbon, 100-gram Nylon Bags
Fluval Biomax Bio Rings
4 Fluval Foam Filter Block's
Fluval Ammonia Remover

EDIT:

Would the Hagen Fluval 306/406 Bio-Foam be better then the Ammonia Remover?

 

I run 2 Fluval 406 on my 125 gallon tank.

In order from top to bottom

Left side filter
-2 polish pads w/ biorings just below that.
-Fluval Zeo Carb
-Fluval Carbon
-Fluval Ammonia Reducer

On the right side filter the set up is similar with the exception of Peat Granula
-2 polish pads w/ biorings just below that.
-Fluval Peat Granula
-Fluval Carbon
-Fluval Ammonia Reducer

Why the emphasis on the ammonia & harmful chemicals for me? My oscars are mighty pooping machines! The amount of ammonia 2 of these guys can produce in a short period of time is second to none! This allows me to do water changes every 2 or so weeks without crazy ammonia spikes.

Much like Reese's, there is no wrong way to fill a fluval. Find what works best for YOUR need. Do you have plants, high polluting fish? spikes in a specific chemical?

I would suggest both the polish pads (out of my 4 very clean tanks, the 125 seems to be the most clear compliments of the polish pads) & the biorings to help build the positive bacteria you need/want.

Edit:

Would the Hagen Fluval 306/406 Bio-Foam be better then the Ammonia Remover?

Again, do you have lots of ammonia spikes? The foam only catches the small media that made it past all the other levels of filtration. Normally the heavy duty sponges & the multiple chambers do a good enough job for me not to need the foam media. It doesn't reduce ammonia (at least not to my knowledge).

 

I tend to use bio media in my canister filters, and if I need chemical filtration, to put that in HOB filters, specifically ACs'
The HOBs are so much easier to change media in, and the easier any task is, the more likely I am to get around to doing it.-rick

 

I tend to use bio media in my canister filters, and if I need chemical filtration, to put that in HOB filters, specifically ACs'
The HOBs are so much easier to change media in, and the easier any task is, the more likely I am to get around to doing it.-rick

At what size tank do you find HOBs to be obsolete? Do you run canisters & HOBs? I heard a few success stories with running both. I just can't find a decent HOB that claims it can filter more then 75 gallons happily. I run 2 very large HOBs on my 55 gallon.

 

I guess I should of added what fish I have.

3 Angel's 3 swordtails and a BN Pleco
In a 55 gallon tank and soon I plan on getting a schooling fish and it would be all

 

I guess I should of added what fish I have.

3 Angel's 3 swordtails and a BN Pleco
In a 55 gallon tank and soon I plan on getting a schooling fish and it would be all

Your scenario is a bit opposite of mine then... No real need to run a ton of ammonia reducer. Maybe try some zeocarb, biorings, carbon, & some polish pads. Personally I found that amazon has the cheapest fluval media. If you are a student or new to amazon you can get amazon prime for free. That's 100% free shipping in 2 days. I am a part time student so I get it free for 6 months. Hint to all those students out there =P

 

I have a Fluval 306 and I think the setup it comes with is great. The four rectangular sponges then the finer black sponges, then the media, I removed the carbon and just use filter floss as my polishing. I do have Purigen running after the filter floss and my water is crystal clear.

To the above poster about changing media in a canister compared to a HOB. The Fluval is real easy to change the items in the various trays. A lot easier then the cascade models because the Fluvals have the quick disconects.

 

I use Seachem matrix and Seachem Purigen both great products, check their website

 

I have a 55 gallon tank with an assortment of fish at the LPS. I am looking at getting the Fluval 306 and they just throw a bunch of different filters and say use this but I don't know which one to get. I understand that I need a biofilter for my bacteria and that carbon cleans the water. I can have 3 different media with this filter and am wondering what I should use for the latter. They have an ammonia filter, should I go with that till my ammonia is under control or go with a water polisher so I can have crystal clear water?

 

I personally have a SunSun 304 and it has 4 trays, 3 of mine are filled with sachem matrix and the bottom tray has coarse sponges. I use 100% polyester batting (from the fabric store) on top of the matrix in the top tray for polishing. Once you are cycled ammonia should stay at 0 so no real need for an ammonia product and I don't use carbon unless I am running after a treatment for disease or something like that, then I take it out. There are many many combinations and everybody has their way of doing it, I am one that wants all the bio I can get and I don't see much need for anything else. Best of luck!!!

 

Would you recommend this over the Fluval 306 since it is a little more expensive? Also there is the sunsun 404b model which looks to be worth the extra $10.

 

I love the sun sun hw-304b. Paid $85.00 or so, bought 2of them. Can't beat them for the price. Fluval makes excellent stuff as well but pricey.

 

Alright I am liking the $87 price tag for the hw-404b but for my 55 gallon tank would the estimated 525gph be too high? I mean it would probably slow down after I add my media and with the larger model I could cram even more media in it to ensure safe filtration.

What would be a good filter media?
I am looking at the seachem matrix for my bio but I still need the mechanical and am looking at a water polisher.

 

No it would be perfect for a 55. I run 2 on my 75, I use a course sponge on the bottom tray and matrix in the rest. Topped with about an inch of polyester batting from the fabric store for polishing. I clean the sponges once a month and replace the batting. I got the sponges off amazon for something like $8. The sponges for a marineland 350c fit fine you just have to cut the hole larger for the UV tube. They are more expensive but places like petsmart sell them if you need them right away.

 

I have a fluval 306 I switched my tank from 1 side of my living room to the other well after I did that I no longer here the motor kick on so know I'm at a complete lost as to how to resolve this issue?

 

What do you mean that the you don't 'here the motor kick on'?

 

I mean as soon as I plug it in it's completely quiet

 

Do you get water flow when it's plugged in?

 

No there's not even a vibration to let you know it's on

 

Going to ask a really dumb question. have you tried something like your cell phone charger in the outlet you are trying to use to make sure it's getting power?

 

Yes I tried them I hope it's not the motor or something

 

I just got a canister filter and wasn’t sure what the best media was for 60 gal fresh water tank. Was thinking:
Bottom tray - black bio foam and polishing pads
Tray 2 - bio max
Tray 3 - bio max and purigen

Does that sound right or should I do different set up. I have never used canister filter before.

Thanks

 

How many fish and what fish? Should be good though

 

My 306 goes pure polyfiber, Matrix, more polyfiber and then Purigen.

 

How many fish and what fish? Should be good though

Right now about 20 to 30 guppies and Molly’s by they keep having babyies lol

 

Try matrix it is pretty good or MarinePure. Otherwise good setup

 

I run 2 x 306's use matrix for tray #2 fill her up rest I run the same as you fluval biomax rings and purigen for 3rd tray runs like a dream

 

I recently bought a used 65 gallon aqarium and stand I was researching for a filter that has good reviews and easy to clean I found this filter is it any good and do I have to filter the tank twice ie 50 tank I need two 50 gallon filters

 

The rule of thumb is your fish tank should turn over your water volume at least 4x per hour for best efficiency. All manufactures rate their pumps at the head level only. This means their ratings do not include head pump lift (canisters typically 3 feet), filter media baskets, filter media itself, tubing length, U bends from the input tube and output tubes or even the 90 degree bend for your spray bar. All this alone will reduce the flow by at least 25% right out of the box.

Now add all your media which is jam packed with course, medium, fine pads, bio ceramic rings, hard media like Matrix or lava rock and now it gets dirty and clogged in weeks. This adds another 25% reduction. So now you have a 50% restriction in water flow. Which now leaves you at 2x your flow rate and you need 4x to run correctly. This is why you should get a filter with at least 8x flow rate (manufactures spec) because of this 50% reduction will bring you to the 4x recommended flow. Canister filters hold more media than a HOB, they can have a little less flow if you want (5x-6x) but 8x will cover both types. Always best to have less water flow over your media than more, so the water stays in contact with the media longer to promote maximum bacteria growth and still keeps good water movement in your tank.

With that said…

Your 65 gallon tank would need about 520 gph to about 650 gph to filter efficiently. The Fluval 306 can provide 303 gph by itself. Once you get over 55 gallons you're looking at 2 filters usually.

 

I’m still going to get this filter but would you recommend another filter to run with this filter maybe a hob

 

I’m still going to get this filter but would you recommend another filter to run with this filter maybe a hob

That will work, just need to get to about 520 gph. I run a canister and a HOB on my 75 gallon.

 

I going to go with the fluval and a marineland penguin 350 so that would bring me to 653 gallons per hour thanks for the advice

 

A fantastic filter imo ,I have a fluval 303 still running for over 20 years now in one one of my tanks ,its the older model though The new ones are just as good from what people said,you can run it with a HOB also extra filtration is always a good thing as long as the currents aren't to strong,but with the fluval you can adjust the flow on the out take tube.