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I know there are some other threads about this...but I am going to be doing some field testing of my own and documented in this new thread.

What I am doing is seeing which will be best for my tank please don't do what I am doing I am not responsible if your equipment fails if you try to copy my testing stages...all my equipment is under warranty...

This test is with 3 Fluval polishing pads ( white )and whith Fluval and 1 Fluval fine filter pad ( blue ) and I added 500g of Fluval white ceramic

I have had my foam carbon out of my Fluval fx6 for 5 days due to I treated my 125g tank with turtle fix and tetra fungus guard

See pics

1. I am testing due to having a 125g tank.
2. Figuring out which media will work best for my tank
3. Do I need to install my second fx6 or return it

My next test will be with chemipure waiting for it to be delivered

3 hours into filtering

24 hours in...liking how clear it looks but now I have a no3 nitrite problem needs to be lowered I had 3 top fin air stones and they all broke some how

Your nitrite problem may be because the media I'm the filters is new and your tank is re-cycling.

I'd keep an eye on it, but not worry about it for some time. The fact that it's a nitrite and not an ammonia issue is actually a good sign.

I keep feeder fish in their tank so if they go I will know something is wrong...

I do preteat my water before it goes in my tank....

Once I do get the chemipure elite I will be removing the carbon sponge.... My ammonia is at zero I do have about 1000g of Fluval ceramic in the filter in my 2nd tray

One of the functions of a filter is to facilitate the bacteria for the nitrogen cycle, ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate.

There are two different sets of bacteria that handle this, that can take weeks to completely establish an equilibrium in a new tank.

Of you have no ammonia, it means you have enough of the first type of bacteria. If you have nitrite, it means you don't have enough of the second. It's there and will grow, but it may take time.

update filter is still up and running water is nice and clear

Are you running any water testing kits on it?

Yes Steve the strips......here are some pics I just did my monthly filter cleaning and 25% water change the white polishing pads are dirty but they did there job kept my tank clean

How long was it in there for? I think someone on this site was running their filter for over a year without opening it... I wonder what it looks like when they decide to open it.

The polishing pads can get expensive because you can't re-use them. Are you using any carbon other than the carbon pad? Once again the pads can get expensive because you can't re-use them. I'm not a fan of either. Are you going to try purigen?

Poly quilting pad is what I am using now....I just cut it in a circle....just carbon sponges so far......it would probably be worse then mine, but it does depend on how often they feed their turtles, how many turtles they have....but probably not filtering anymore filter will run water out no matter how dirty it gets....I don't think its heathy for the turtles to have a ditty filter IMO
2 weeks Steve I probably could of waited for another week.
But it does look like I will be installing the other fx6 filter

I am looking into K1 MEDIA anyone use them

POLY- fil batting is about $8.00 for a 10' X 10' roll polishing pads run from $7.00-10.00 for 1 pack of 3