Fluval 407 Media Selection - Leave out carbon??

Hey all,

I am working on setting up a 60 gallon discus aquarium. Eventually it will be planted, but this is down the road a bit. I just got a new Fluval 407 canister filter, and I'm a little confused on what media to use for filtration. It has 4 baskets, from top to bottom, that contain carbon, carbon, biological media, and sponge filtration. I have read that carbon is unnecessary, and I've had luck with that in the past. So, should I remove all carbon (and chemical filtration), and simply use additional biological media? Any guidance would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

Carbon is not required in the filtration process. Carbon helps remove odors, medicine, tannins, and chemicals such as chlorine. So, it is safe to remove it from the filter, provided you are properly conditioning the tank water and doing the necessary water changes, etc.

In the absence of the carbon, I would throw in some Pollyfil or a fine sponge to help polish the water, at least in one of the baskets. Then in the other basket, add some more ceramic rings for Bio-media. A bacteria colony will only grow as large as the Bio-load in the tank, respectively. Just make sure that a more porous sponge (that filters out the large/medium particles) is before the finer sponge or Polyfill.

Polyfill can be purchased at most fabric stores. Imagitarium, I believe, also makes something similar, which can be found at most Pet stores where the filter accessories are.

 

Thanks for the poly-fil tip! I'm planning on doing the course filter on the bottom (first media), followed by poly-fil, and two layers of bio-media (last before leaving for tank).

 

Thanks for the poly-fil tip! I'm planning on doing the course filter on the bottom (first media), followed by poly-fil, and two layers of bio-media (last before leaving for tank).

Awesome! Yeah I love using Polyfill. The mistake I made though early on with it, is I added too much in my filter and it slowed the output of the filter down. A nice even layer is usually sufficient. Good luck!

 

Hey all,

I am working on setting up a 60 gallon discus aquarium. Eventually it will be planted, but this is down the road a bit. I just got a new Fluval 407 canister filter, and I'm a little confused on what media to use for filtration. It has 4 baskets, from top to bottom, that contain carbon, carbon, biological media, and sponge filtration. I have read that carbon is unnecessary, and I've had luck with that in the past. So, should I remove all carbon (and chemical filtration), and simply use additional biological media? Any guidance would be appreciated!

Thanks

I would replace one carbon with seachem matrix and the other purigen. Carbon is only really needed when taking medicine out if the water. Good luck

 

You already have 4 fairly course filters along the side panel of the 407. In the bottom canister you can put in either medium or fine foams, or both, sliced in half one on top of the other (finest on top) then use the 3 remaining canisters for bio rings. I found polyfilter clogs up to quickly and slows output requiring cleaning out that tray every couple or so weeks.. It should be able to function for at least two months without cleaning it out. Nix the carbon or keep that for a spare hang on back filter and use if and when required , otherwise use the spare hang on back daily a your backup to a 407 failure. Which is unlikely, mines almost 20 years old and still works fine

 

As far as I know, fluval includes a black foam layer which is slightly mode fine than the white foam blocks found in the vertical tray. It goes in the bottom basket.

The included Bio-Max that Fluval provides in their filters has a very hard and non-porous surface. It's noodle shape leaves a huge void space in the middle. It is very inefficient in my opinion for colonizing beneficial bacteria.

Consider buying a sheet of 20ppi and 30ppi foams from Amazon. The brand Aquaneat sells 2" thick sheets of it.

I bought one sheet of each and have added it to my canisters, and one of my Aquaclears.

For example, my Marineland 360 canister has 4 huge baskets. The bottom basket has 2 layers of the stock coarse foam.

The next basket has a layer of 20ppi foam, while 30ppi foam is in the next basket.

The top basket is full of already cycled media that came from a different tank.

I haven't put any Polyfill in it yet, although I do prefer using the batting version of Polyfil when I put some in my Aquaclears.

This set up in my Marineland canister keeps our heavily stocked 55g African cichlid tank fully cycled with crystal clear water.

Dont underestimate the filtration ability of foam sponge media.