Fluval 406 Media?

so I feel like everything I look at online has something different for media in the fluval 406. Was just wondering what your opinions were on the media for the filter? Also by switching some out now will it cause my tank to go through a cycle again?

Currently I have what is recommended from Hagan:
Stage 1 - black foam
Stage 2 - bio max rings
Stage 3 - polishing pad and activated carbon
Stage 4 - activated carbon

 

If you replace ALL the media the tank will cycle again. You can keep the ceramic rings and alternate which sponges you replace. If it's heavily stocked just keep an eye on levels to be sure ur safe. I also use one of their canisters. I skip the carbon unless I specifically have a chemical that needs to be removed. It doesn't stay active for as long as I go between opening the canister so it would just turn into a biologic media. I replace that with some more trays filled with plastic bioballs, stone, or ceramic media to use as more biological filter. Even rinsed lava rock is advised as diy media. Biologic media don't necesarily ever have to be replaced. I replace the polishing pads each time. I only rinse the sponges in a bucket of tank water and give them a good couple squeezes. When the center of the black sponge really can't get rinsed out I'll replace it.

 

I have a fluval 304 (close enough) and this is what I have:
2 sponges
2 sections of filter floss (should actually be sponges but I ran out )
Chunk 1: 2 bags of carbon
Chunk 2: ceramic rings
Chunk 3: 1 bag of carbon

I clean every few months and swap out any parts that are getting too gross or are falling apart (mostly just the sponges/floss)


Replacing all of the media at once will cause it to re-cycle. If you only do a piece or two every month or two, you should be fine. I tend to replace 2 sponges every time I open it up (3-4 months) and haven't had any problems.

In theory you will have a minI cycle, but if you only get rid of a bit at a time then the rest of the BB can make up for the lost part.

 

Thank you for the input, so from what I read from your two post, here is what I am thinking:
Stage 1 - black foam (not changing)
Stage 2 - bio max (not changing)
Stage 3 - bio balls (this will be new media)
Stage 4 - ???? Not sure what to put in the last stage before the water goes back into the aquarium?

Should I just leave some carbon on stage 4 that is already part of the cycled media and just add the bio balls for now so I don’t mess with the cycle?

 

Carbon is not really needed. I would place a couple of polishing pads in the last tray.

 

I would place a couple of polishing pads in the last tray.

I agree. I don't go without at least one polishing pad. Even if it is in a try half full of biologic or in a tray with your bag of that old carbon.

 

Plus I think there's going to be those tall sponges on the side too? Those count as part of the biological you're keeping and should only need a rinse in tank water.

 

I agree. I don't go without at least one polishing pad. Even if it is in a try half full of biologic or in a tray with your bag of that old carbon.

good deal, I really appreciate it, so here is what I will do for the 4 stages:
Stage 1 - stays the same, Black Foam
stage 2 - Stays the same, Bio Max
Stage 3 - Change from carbon to bio balls
Stage 4 - change from carbon to a polishing pad (anything on top of the polishing pad then in stage 4?)

Will changing two of the stages affect the parameters of the water? do you think it will cause a cycle? I currently have 11 Mbuna Cichlids in the tank and do not want to do something that could cause a disease in the fish

 

do you think it will cause a cycle? I currently have 11 Mbuna Cichlids in the tank and do not want to do something that could cause a disease in the fish

I think you'll be just fine. Maybe extra caution if this is a relatively new set up. If you're worried you can feed a little light or test the water for ammonia. I don't have a crystal ball to make a guarentee but I'd bet money there's nothing to worry about

 

I think you'll be just fine. Maybe extra caution if this is a relatively new set up. If you're worried you can feed a little light or test the water for ammonia. I don't have a crystal ball to make a guarentee but I'd bet money there's nothing to worry about

Thank you, another quick question (sorry for all the questions), would you put bio balls or more bio max in tray/stage 3?

??????

 

Good topic
I had two trays with carbon which feel apart so I currently have two empty trays
Thinking what should I replace the carbon with

 

bio balls or more bio max

I really like biomax and other stone-type media. But use whatever is economic and available. You could even get lava rocks from home depot and just rinse them. It's like 5 bucks for 20 pounds but just starts off very dusty. It's a diy option.

 

Bio media should be the last stage before going back into your tank.

I have a 306 and it's set up with:
Tray 1 (bottom): BioFoam and Polishing Pad
Tray 2: Polishing pad and Biomax
Tray 3: Biomax

I would put Biomax in the 4th tray if I had. Biomax has more surface area than bioballs.

 

I would have to agree that the carbon is not necessary. In my fluval(s) I use mechanical(sponges)on the bottom, then two trays of biological(ceramic whatever), with floss on top of the ceramic in the top tray. The only time you really need carbon is if you need to take meds out of the water.

 

You want mechanical filtration first (biofoam and floss/polishing pads). Then biological and finally chemical (if needed). Having floss on top means that your bio media will catch fine particles and clog, starving BB in those nooks and crannies.

 

I switched two of the 4 stages this morning... changed stage 3 from carbon to bio max and stage 4 from carbon to polishing pad.... I did that this morning, just did a water test and my ammonia has creeped up to .25.... what should I do now? I just did the weekly Wc and cleaning of the gravel yesterday

 

As DarkOne mentioned put the polishing pad before the BIO Media. First tray Black sponge and Polishing pad. if there is no room in the first tray use the Second tray with polishing pad and set Bio Media on top of that. You don't want gunk getting trapped in your Bio Media by having floss or sponges above the Bio Media.

 

I bought bio max n some polishing pads today