Hood built in filter - Media setup

Hello,

My first post after reading all sorts of topics on aquariums.

I first started in the hobby 2 years ago with pretty much learn as I go, now I am even more into the hobby I want to do more.

I currently have a 110L Fresh water heated tank which I am waiting delivery of a new 200L tank in the morning.

I am so used to internal filters where as my new tank has a built in hood filter.

It is a Boyu LZ 810.

I have done enough research to understand the different layers of filtration media and what is needed, my only question is in what order to put said media as so many videos and explanations do it slightly differently.

I have Bio Balls, Ceramic Bio Rings, Activated carbon sponge, Water polish sponge and a mechanical sponge.

I want to go with the following...

Bottom layer the Bio Balls and Ceramic Bio Rings
Lower layer Water polish sponge
Middle layer Activated Carbon sponge
Top layer Mechanical Media sponge

This is the filter that trickles the water over the media that flows down one end into the tank.

Any clarification would be grateful, many thanks and glad to be here.

 

Sounds right.
Lose the carbon and double up on top layer so you can thoroughly clean one and leave the other 'active' when cleaning the filter.

 

Sounds right.
Lose the carbon and double up on top layer so you can thoroughly clean one and leave the other 'active' when cleaning the filter.

Many thanks for the input, I take it Carbon is not as important as the other media in filtration as in doubling up on the mechanical layer would work better?

 

A lot of people only use carbon to help remove medication from the water.

 

Carbon does nothing water changes won't do better and cheaper, besides removal of whatever that is in your source water. That would be in a filter before your faucet.

 

All foam/sponge (without carbon) all the time. I believe that bio balls/rings/etc simply don't offer as much surface area for beneficial bacteria as quality foam.

 

Many thanks for your replies, appreciated.

I am going to not use the carbon and double up on the foam!

Thankyou.