Somail
- #1
Hi Everyone,
I recently completed my filtration system and I am starting to rethink the media I have placed in my various sumps. Threads like this one: Bio Media Comparison Information | Aquarium Filter Forum | 435695 are making me question my media choices. As of right now, I am relying on Eheim Substrat, Seachem Matrix and Purigen, and I am starting to see a lot of commentary that is saying these products are basically "hyped up" and everyday sponge/foam is king when it comes to biological filtration.
The tank is 50 Gallons and has 10 Serpae Tetras and 20 Cherry Barbs. I plan on adding 10 more tetra type fish in the future and 10 Amano Shrimp once the tank is more mature (only three weeks old as of this writing).
Attached are two pictures: 1) the system and 2) the flow of the system. Filtration and order of flow are as follows:
Sump 1: 4 inch 10 PPI Foam -> 2 inch 20 PPI Foam -> 2 inch 30 PPI Foam
In-line Pump (approx 5x turnover) - about 300-350 GPH. Pump is currently set to 60% flow.
In-line Heater
Sump 2: Eheim Mech and Eheim Substrat
Sump 3: Eheim Substrat and Seachem Matrix (I had a lot of Eheim stuff laying around, thus why the media is mixed)
Sump 4: C02 (not pictured) and Purigen Reactor. Also has 2 inch of 30 PPI sponge and 2 inch of polyfill (mainly to keep the Purigen in place).
Given what I have read, Sump 2 & 3 are considered inefficient given the claimed ratings of those medias, and the Purigen is nothing special (again, from what I have read). Rather than throw everything out (since the Mech, Substrat and Matrix are probably still okay, but just not great), I am wondering if I redo my Sump 4 to remove the Purigen and take one of these two routes:
1. Keep the 30 PPI foam and filter floss but replace the Purigen with K1 Micro media (fluidized) + C02
or
2. Just make the whole sump 30 PPI sponge with some filter floss + C02 (I am worried a full 30 PPI sump might impact flow)
My end goal is to have good filtration but also crystal clear water (Don't we all)
Of course I may be overthinking. At the end of the day, if I have zero Ammonia/Nitrite does it really matter.... That said, the Purigen reactor is a pain, as the balls are super small and they get everywhere if something goes wrong. Making one of the changes above would take me literally 10 minutes. So I guess the question is: Do I ditch the Purigen?
Thanks for any help and advice.
I recently completed my filtration system and I am starting to rethink the media I have placed in my various sumps. Threads like this one: Bio Media Comparison Information | Aquarium Filter Forum | 435695 are making me question my media choices. As of right now, I am relying on Eheim Substrat, Seachem Matrix and Purigen, and I am starting to see a lot of commentary that is saying these products are basically "hyped up" and everyday sponge/foam is king when it comes to biological filtration.
The tank is 50 Gallons and has 10 Serpae Tetras and 20 Cherry Barbs. I plan on adding 10 more tetra type fish in the future and 10 Amano Shrimp once the tank is more mature (only three weeks old as of this writing).
Attached are two pictures: 1) the system and 2) the flow of the system. Filtration and order of flow are as follows:
Sump 1: 4 inch 10 PPI Foam -> 2 inch 20 PPI Foam -> 2 inch 30 PPI Foam
In-line Pump (approx 5x turnover) - about 300-350 GPH. Pump is currently set to 60% flow.
In-line Heater
Sump 2: Eheim Mech and Eheim Substrat
Sump 3: Eheim Substrat and Seachem Matrix (I had a lot of Eheim stuff laying around, thus why the media is mixed)
Sump 4: C02 (not pictured) and Purigen Reactor. Also has 2 inch of 30 PPI sponge and 2 inch of polyfill (mainly to keep the Purigen in place).
Given what I have read, Sump 2 & 3 are considered inefficient given the claimed ratings of those medias, and the Purigen is nothing special (again, from what I have read). Rather than throw everything out (since the Mech, Substrat and Matrix are probably still okay, but just not great), I am wondering if I redo my Sump 4 to remove the Purigen and take one of these two routes:
1. Keep the 30 PPI foam and filter floss but replace the Purigen with K1 Micro media (fluidized) + C02
or
2. Just make the whole sump 30 PPI sponge with some filter floss + C02 (I am worried a full 30 PPI sump might impact flow)
My end goal is to have good filtration but also crystal clear water (Don't we all)
Of course I may be overthinking. At the end of the day, if I have zero Ammonia/Nitrite does it really matter.... That said, the Purigen reactor is a pain, as the balls are super small and they get everywhere if something goes wrong. Making one of the changes above would take me literally 10 minutes. So I guess the question is: Do I ditch the Purigen?
Thanks for any help and advice.