Habitat - Indoor :: what media to buy with Filstar?

[felmel]

My DH surprised me and came home with a 75 Gal tank for my turts today. I have decided to go with a Filstar XP3 filter. I went to buy one online and then all this different media options showed up....ahhhh more choices. What is the best media to go with?

[marisa]

What media comes with the filter? Check the box if you buy it in a store or with the vendor if you order it on-line (much cheaper). Most likely it will be two 30ppi and two 20ppi sponges, a bag of bio-chem zorb and a microfiltration pad. Find out if bio-media is included (ceramic rings or stars). When I bought mine, it was, but lately it hasn't been. You want to get it for sure if it's not included.

The sponges and ceramic rings last a long time--you rinse them in the tank water when you clean the filter. If you choose to keep using the bio-chem zorb or activated carbon (should be replaced monthy), it's good to stock up if you buy on-line (cheaper). Some people use microfiltration pads, some don't, it's up to you (I do, but I buy generic polyester from Petsmart and cut my own).

[jdub1107]

The sticky in Equipment Review has a link that will show you what each media does. I originally used what came with my Filstar and then ran some tests (ammonia, ph, nitrate, nitrite, hardness) and found that I needed the softener, nitrazorb, ceramic rings and the stars.

[felmel]

Thanks for the info, didn't know turts could be so much work!