Optimizing Filter Setup

Hello!

After almost 7 weeks, I've FINALLY cycled my first tank. It's a 5 gallon. Now that I've got all of the good stuff I need in my tank, I'm looking to optimize my filter for the most efficient setup. I have one adult fancy guppy and three 5 week old fry.

Does anyone have any recommendations for my filter? I've heard about bio balls, ceramic rings, sponges, etc. but I'm not exactly sure what would be best for a 5 gallon tank with just a few guppies. I'm currently just using the starter kit materials—the TopFin Element HOB filter and cartridges. Pictures attached!

(I'm not sure what the film is in my filter; I added TSS just over a week ago to aid the cycle so it may be related to that. I rinsed the cartridges in tank water about 9 days ago.)

 

You'll need some pretty small media for that, Cichlidude Islandvic ?

 

for a 5 G tank, this bag of ceramic will be more than enough


here's the guide Islandvic wrote https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...tream-aquaclear-and-other-hob-filters.385506/

 

Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag (small ceramic bio-media pellets) available online and Petsmart...

Same bag as the Aquaclear 30 bio-max, so whichever you can find cheaper.

These are handy and can be found for about $5 a 3-pack of foam

Aquaclear 50 Sponges

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Aquaclear/Fluval sponge replacements are available in 3-packs for $3-$5. Perfect for DIY media!

You can place them in your reservoir like this.....

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Polyfil, AC50 Sponge and small bag of Bio-Max (pic 2)

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Polyfil, AC50 Sponge and small bag of Fluval Spec Bio-Max refill bag

The white felt can be cut off the black frame of the cartridges and place back into the filter. That way you keep all of your beneficial bacteria.

The link that skavatar posted has even more examples.

 

Hello!

After almost 7 weeks, I've FINALLY cycled my first tank. It's a 5 gallon. Now that I've got all of the good stuff I need in my tank, I'm looking to optimize my filter for the most efficient setup. I have one adult fancy guppy and three 5 week old fry.

Does anyone have any recommendations for my filter? I've heard about bio balls, ceramic rings, sponges, etc. but I'm not exactly sure what would be best for a 5 gallon tank with just a few guppies. I'm currently just using the starter kit materials—the TopFin Element HOB filter and cartridges. Pictures attached!

(I'm not sure what the film is in my filter; I added TSS just over a week ago to aid the cycle so it may be related to that. I rinsed the cartridges in tank water about 9 days ago.)View attachment 547501

Rather than the plastic bioballs or ceramic rings(both are very pricey) I use lava rock in all my HOB filters It provides a lot of surface area for beneficial bacteria(both aerobic and anaerobic) to grow on Its cheap too Like $5 for a 10 or 15 lb at Menards A bag fills a lot of filters Any HOB's that came with those little combo charcoal filter packets I toss They're expensive to replace and just a way for the big aquarist suppliers to get you coming back for their expensive products So if you're going to use activated charcoal get yourself some string filter bags and fill (even old nylon stockings will work)with bulk activated charcoal Saves you $