Habitat - Indoor :: Fluval FX5 users: What media do you use?

[bently11]

I am trying to decide what media to put in my fluval. I have polishing pads, carbon, biomax, and prefilter. What media do you have and which 3 do you think I should use?

[BullDog]

I have:
Top: Prefilter + coarse filter pads
Middle: Carbon + bioballs
Bottom: Biomax

I tried using the polish pads, but they clog too quickly.
I think that media is sort of a personal choice. Find what works for you, and stick with it.

[bently11]

Thanks! I think I'm going to try:
Top: Prefilter
Middle: Carbon
Bottom: Biomax

[BullDog]

I find the prefilter doesn't catch much. You might want to put something between the prefilter and the carbon. Before I put the coarse filter pads in I found the media bag for the carbon got really scummy and gross. But give it a try and see what works for you.

[papoopeepoo]

top: prefilter
middle: medium coarse pad & polish pad
bottom: biomax

Like BullDog said, the prefilter doesn't catch much waste. Mine usually catches loose plant pieces and things like that.

[akaghettoraver]

Top: Zeo-carb
Middle: Bio-max
Bottom: Polishing pads on top of Prefilter

This setup does a very good job on my big tank and I clean it once a month

[bently11]

So could I put a pad with the prefilter? Would that catch more? Is it ok to use a polishing pad with the prefilter?

[BullDog]

The polishing pads clog pretty quickly. I don't think you'd want to use that as sort of a pre-filter.

[bently11]

So I will get some coarse pads for the prefilter tomorrow. Is that ok?

[BullDog]

Sure. I couldn't find any coarse filter pads for aquariums or ponds anywhere in town, and online they were super expensive. So I got creative and found an all natural air filter (for a furnace). They've held up quite well. I'm also experimenting with a coarse green scrubbie cut to size. You can be creative with your filter media

[bently11]

Thanks so much bulldog! I'm going to the petstore right now, hopefully they'll have some coarse filter pads. If not, I'll take you advice and use a scrubbie or an air filter.