noob needs help!!!!!!!! setting up fluval 304 canister filter

[biohazardcustomz]

got a huge box of free tank stuff. brand new fluval 304 canister in the box was in the bottom. never even plugged in. what a deal right? anyway. never had a canister before. im sure i can figure out the plumbing options with my book. but my questions are 1) how long will it take for the canister to "cycle" and build up enough bb i can take the hob off the tank and use it as the only filter. and 2) it has the filter inserts, then the three stackable basket inserts. my first one has two bags of carbon, should there be two or just one? second is empty. what goes here? and third is full of these white circle things. what are they and what do they do? anyone with experience with one of these i would appreciate your help alot!

 

[biohazardcustomz]

bump. any advice? anyone?

 

[biohazardcustomz]

ok well i got impatient and just googled everything. i would of rather had first hand experience but whatever. i read thru the gibberish instructions and got thru it. its installed and running and it works like a beaut. loving it! i found out the middle compartment is supposed to be half carbon and half media material (the white round things) and all carbon on bottom and all media on top. weird but hey... i read alot of good things about the unit and it was free so whatever. thanks anyways.

 

[KaiserSousay]

Now, don`t you feel better, answering your own question.
A little research is never a bad thing.
After you run it for awhile, you can do a bit more searching and find the more effective blend of media for your can.
Good luck

 

[Cliff519]

To answer some of your questions:

A) Each time I've replaced filters, I've run both the old and new filters together for a least 6 weeks
B) I quit using carbon some time ago. There's nothing wrong with using it if you change it every month or so. I just feel that building up more bacteria will get you better water quality than chemical filtration (ie.... the carbon)
C) The white rings you mentioned is biomax filter media. It’s a ceramic ring that provide a lot of surface area for bacteria to grow one. This is the only filter media that I use now (other than sponges )
D) You have a few options for your top try. You could use biomax as I have just suggested. You could also use filter floss. This is typically used to remove fine particles from your water but needs a lot of maintenance.

I hope I’ve helped.

 

[biohazardcustomz]

Now, don`t you feel better, answering your own question.
A little research is never a bad thing.
After you run it for awhile, you can do a bit more searching and find the more effective blend of media for your can.
Good luck

thanks, im definitely going to read up on these and different options. but so far its a nice filter. i like it.

 

[biohazardcustomz]

To answer some of your questions:

A) Each time I've replaced filters, I've run both the old and new filters together for a least 6 weeks
B) I quit using carbon some time ago. There's nothing wrong with using it if you change it every month or so. I just feel that building up more bacteria will get you better water quality than chemical filtration (ie.... the carbon)
C) The white rings you mentioned is biomax filter media. It’s a ceramic ring that provide a lot of surface area for bacteria to grow one. This is the only filter media that I use now (other than sponges )
D) You have a few options for your top try. You could use biomax as I have just suggested. You could also use filter floss. This is typically used to remove fine particles from your water but needs a lot of maintenance.

I hope I’ve helped.

thanks for the info. is that biomax stuff expensive and do you ever do anything with it or just leave it? also as for the carbon, i just always assumed u needed the carbon because on all the under gravel filters, hob, and whatever else i always saw carbon being used. i know it helps with ammonia but if you get enough bb you dont need it? i have two bags of carbon on the bottom tray, in the middle a bag of carbon on one side and a bunch of bio max on the other and the third is all bio max. thats what the book said to do.

 

[Cliff519]

Yup, Hagen just loves to sell carbon to you every month. IMO it is NOT needed unless you want to remove meds from your tank.

You can find some good deals for biomax rings on E-bay. Just take your time to find one. You don't need to do anything with the biomax rings to use them. After you take them home from the store, just wash them in some old tank water. Once every 1 to 3 months, rinse them really well in used tank water. I rinse my by filling a buck of tank water and putting the whole filter tray in that water to slosh it around for a while untill all the crud is washed off. The biomax rings will last you for years come.