Fluval 406 maintenance/Media replacement

What media does everyone use in their 406's? I have read all over that people put different media in different locations in all sorts of filters, especially to replace carbon. Since the 406 has 4 sets of carbon... I am really wondering if I should replace at least 1 tier of the carbon at some point, and what with. My water is crystal clear right now, and I want it to stay that way.

In my filter, from top to bottom:
2x Fluval Carbon
2x Fluval Polishing Pad
2x Fluval Carbon
Biomax
2x Fluval Bio Foam

In my tank:
55g
Assortment of plants
2 large pieces of MopanI driftwood
1 Small piece of MopanI driftwood
Eco-complete
Not fully stocked with fish yet, but will with an assortment of Danios, Tetra, Catfish, Plecos, Swordtail, and shrimp
Lava rock

Also, does everyone pretty much follow the manuals maintenance schedule?

 

Ditch all the carbon and use purigen. 10x better than carbon and you can regenerate it every 6 months when it's needed. Also won't pull out the ferts like carbon will. Your water will really be crystal with it. In my fx6 I run that foam pad and purigen in the bottom tray. Second basket I run the Biomax with a polishing pad on top of the Biomax. Top tray I run the two foam pads that came with the filter.

 

I just took this pic of my tank a few Minutes ago. I have to do a water change later. This is what the water looks like after it being in the tank for a week.

 

Looks good.

I was thinking of replacing the last layer of carbon with Purigen, and the first layer with Seachem Matrix.

Any downsides to having the fluval biomax before the Matrix? Or should I just do 2 layers with Purigen, the way the canister is already set up based on the manual, and replace the biomax with Matrix.

 

If your gonna use purigen just use it in one try. You can probably put the matrix in the other since it will gather the beneficial bacteria. Just put the purigen in the bottom tray. I use the 100l prepackaged bags of purigen. I used two of those bags in my filter for my 125.

 

All I use is the standard foam and pads that came with the unit, ceramic media and matrix. works very effective and no need to recharge or replace anything. I just rinse the pad and foam every few months when I do filter maintenance.

 

Just use the purigen instead of carbon you'll be surprised at the water clarity.

 

Thanks guys.

Looks like my new setup will be:

Fluval Sponge/Mesh prefilter
Fluval Biofoarm
Fluval Biomax
Seachem Matrix
Fluval Polishing Pads
Seachem Purigen