Marineland filter media ideas

[Cich Mind]

Hello,

I'm getting a couple of Marineland-Penguin 350. There are 4 slots for media/filters and it comes with only 2 floss type cartridges. It also has 2 bio wheels. This leaves 2 slots empty. What would you put in the empty slots. Please give me some ideas. Thanks?

 

[Toby_H]

Short answer... nothing...

I avoid using Chemical Filtration unless targeting a specific reason, such as removing medications. If charcoal is left in the filter too long, it can begin leaching pollutants back into the water. There may be other specific situations where other such media is warranted, but generally speaking, in my opinion, other such media is more hype than performance.

I have an uncommon view of bio media, in that I've never had a tank that struggled to sustain a healthy beneficial bacteria colony due to insufficient 'surface area' to live on. I believe adding bio media is almost always a non beneficial redundancy. Having said that... most hobbyists are happy to take advantage of bio media. In your case, you have that in the bio wheels.

In my experience / opinion, the best set up for a Hang On Back filter is two layers of mechanical filtration. a regular cotton type filter first and something finer second. You'll save money if you buy the frames that allow you to build your own inserts.

 

[Cich Mind]

Hey Toby_H ,

The filters that come with the HOB looks like a fine "floss" type. Sounds like you're recommending a more coarse type of filter material for the extra slots. Just not sure what cotton material you are refering to. Is it like a really coarse sponge like material?

 

[FJB]

I love Penguin 330b/350 and also love Aquaclear 500/110, and feel that all fishrooms should have some of each, for different uses, and complementarily. Best out there!
This is what I have been doing with my two Penguin 330b-350, for several years (1st photo). After purchase and prior to first use, I modified the 'disposable cartridges' into my own permanent cartridges, and added the ceramic noodle boxes. In this manner each side of the filter has 1 sponge/floss unit, 1 ceramic noodle unit, and 1 bio-wheel.
In addition, I use prefilters in all my filters HOB and canisters (2nd photo). Everything inside HOB's, and prefilters is cleaned once a week. Canister interiors are cleaned less often, but regularly. Works well, I love it, and I never need to buy cartridges or disposable filter stuff.

 

[Chicxulub]

I had one of these bad boys on my 150 a few years back (ok maybe more than just a "few" lol) and I took out the cartridges and stuffed it full of Fluval Biomax and used it and the biomax as as media for rooting my pothos. It worked marvelously.

 

[Cich Mind]

Ok guys,
I'm getting some ideas to think about. I like the idea of using the bio media. I've recently heard of something called ceramic bio rings. Is this similar to Fluval Biomax? I also have the "bio wheels" on the filter for BB. I would still like to use the 2 filters that comes with the 350 to remove debris from my tank.

I had one of these bad boys on my 150 a few years back (ok maybe more than just a "few" lol) and I took out the cartridges and stuffed it full of Fluval Biomax and used it and the biomax as as media for rooting my pothos. It worked marvelously.

 

[Chicxulub]

I had one of these bad boys on my 150 a few years back (ok maybe more than just a "few" lol) and I took out the cartridges and stuffed it full of Fluval Biomax and used it and the biomax as as media for rooting my pothos. It worked marvelously.

Also- in this capacity, I also removed the biowheels. The water flowed in from the bottom, through my biomax and pothos roots, and out the top. The wheels were superfluous and unnecessary.

 

[Cich Mind]

Thanks C Chicxulub ,
I've never thought about removing the bio wheels. Don't they hold a lot of BB? What is Fluval Biomax? Is it a cut to fit kind of thing, or is it small pieces?

 

[Chicxulub]

Thanks C Chicxulub ,
I've never thought about removing the bio wheels. Don't they hold a lot of BB? What is Fluval Biomax? Is it a cut to fit kind of thing, or is it small pieces?

Biomax is ceramic rings or pellets that can be used as biomedia in a filter. The wheels do hold bio, and I don't think you'd hurt yourself by leaving them on, but I was using mine as a pothos pot and the roots would grow out of the filter and down towart the tank and interfere with the wheels so I took them off. The biomax will hold more bio, anyway. Definitely leave the wheels on in the beginning while you're seeding the biomax if you go that route. If you're not doing the pothos thing, I see no reason to remove them.

There are cheaper alternatives out there I'm sure, but when I find something I like I tend to stick with it; and it isn't terribly expensive anyway. I've had an FX5 running continuously since 2010 with biomax in it and haven't had any problems, so I just keep buying more of it when I need biomedia. IIRC, one pack of this stuff was just right to fill up both compartments of my old Penguin.

 

[BIG-G]

I buy cheap 2” thick foam from Amazon and cut it to fit in place of the filter cartridge that come with it.
They are permanent and provide lots of space for biological to grow.
I just rinse them and give them a good squeeze in some tank water and put them back when I do a water change.