General Care Discussion :: Ceramic Rings?

[Jet]

Ok so I keep getting differing opions on the value of ceramic rings in filter media. Today, a guy at the local pet store I stopped into for some carbon told me the rings are not necessary for turtle tanks as much as for fish tanks the carbon is really the main thing and I should take out my ceramic and just fill all my media baskets with carbon. Sound right?
The pet store that I prefer is a bit further from me so I don't make it down there for just refills and stuff. But one of the guys that works there has like 5 RES and has told me the rings are needed.
What say you?
Thanx..........Tina

[octpusgirl8]

I, personally, am a big believer in biological filtration. I use carbon, but i use more of my filter space for mechanical and biological filtration. I don't even change my carbon that often and my water quality is great. Plus, using less carbon and more rings means spending less money on filter maintenance, which is always nice

[Jet]

I, personally, am a big believer in biological filtration. I use carbon, but i use more of my filter space for mechanical and biological filtration. I don't even change my carbon that often and my water quality is great. Plus, using less carbon and more rings means spending less money on filter maintenance, which is always nice

Really? Sounds interesting. I run a fluval 205 in a 50 gallon a bit more than half way full. The bottom two are carbon baskets and the top two are ceramic. You think maybe take out one carbon basket and add another ceramic basket?
Thanks for the tip!
Tina

[octpusgirl8]

That's what i would do, but half and half sounds good too. Do you ever test your water? It's a great way to see how well your filter setup is really working.

[Cramer]

Never listen to pet store personel. Just smile and back away...

For a fluval, which I have 3 of, a good mix is filter fiber/polyester stuffing in the first basket to remove what gets past the foam before it clogs the carbon next and then the bio on top. For 4 baskets, you can do an extra bio media basket. Like rings in one and lava rock in another.

[octpusgirl8]

Never listen to pet store personel. Just smile and back away...

lol, well said!

[mikee]

Jt -- I have two names for "sales clerks" at these pet stores and that is "dumb and dumber.”In my opinion" both types of filtration are necessary and vital. I will not go into all the filtration here, but the biological is the most important. I like a lot of exchange and a lot of biological media. One of the named above must have had a lot of carbon for sale. I have been in a lot of pet shops (stores) and I dare to say they cannot find the rest room without directions. When you pen one of them down, they finally admit that the store will not invest the money to keep them healthy or “it won’t hurt them, they will only be here for a few weeks or so.” OH WELL!!!

[Jet]

Yes I'm getting that impression although the turtle guy (what I call him) has been the only one who is pretty right on. The Petco guys don't seem to have a clue. Scary that they sell turtles and are supposed to know this stuff.
I've never thought of the poly stuffing. I really don't test the water all that much exept to keep track of the amonia. I also don't use water conditioner. I do a partial water change once a week so I was thinking I didn't really need to do a test.
So in the 205 the first basket could be the stuffing, then the rings then two baskets of carbon on the bottom? If I go with the extra bio then first two baskets bio rings/rocks then two carbons on the bottom?
I've had this turtle for about 7 months as you can see I'm still in filter 101 class!
Thanks for your help...........Tina

[Cramer]

Remember, fluvals send water down the tall foam and back UP through the baskets. So, the bottom basket should be either the mechanical fiber or carbon to keep debris from going any further up and glogging the bio media, which is bad for many reasons; mainly forcing you to clean it (which you shouldn't) and also keeping the bacteria from getting oxygen, both by clogging and using it first by breaking down in decay.
I put bio media on the top baskets, as I expect the water to already be cleaned before entry.