Filter media info??

[77pm77]

Im almost done with my DIY sump and I have an area designed for filter media and a sponge filter.
It will flow out of my skimmer area over the filter and media. Can anybody please give me some
advice on what material I should use as my filter sponge and what media I should put in that area? Carbon
for sure but Im not sure what is also needed. The area is 13 by 2 3/4 and My tank is a 28gal .. Thank you

 

[revsgirl]

:bump2:

 

[DEViSE]

I've always been a fan of 100% polyester quilt batting (locally, I can get a huge queen size piece for about $12, cut it to shape) and/or nylon scrubbies from the local dollar store (make sure they don't have the little metal ring inside.)

 

[Ace25]

I use Purigen instead of Carbon. It is reusable and no reports of causing diseases in fish like carbon (although that is still debatable, carbon/HLLE link). If you go with purigen I highly recommend getting the small packets already in the bags because I have yet to find a good mesh bag that will hold the tiny particles like the plastic bag the small ones come in and hold up to repeated bleach soakings. Last thing you want is to rip a bag of purigen open in your sump, you will never get it all out of your system if you do.

 

[DOI]

The association of Lignite carbon and LLD really isn't that debatable anymore. There is plenty of direct evidence supporting it as well as a few studies showing direct cause. One offhand that I can think of is Jay Hemdal's "The Role of Activated Lignite Carbon in the Development of Head and Lateral Line Erosion in the Ocean Surgeon" from the North American Journal of Aquaculture. I know there are other studies including sharks where studies have been done.

I use light duty white scouring pads or 5 micron filter socks. If you use carbon in there just make sure it is not lignite.

 

[btkrausen]

The association of Lignite carbon and LLD really isn't that debatable anymore. There is plenty of direct evidence supporting it as well as a few studies showing direct cause. One offhand that I can think of is Jay Hemdal's "The Role of Activated Lignite Carbon in the Development of Head and Lateral Line Erosion in the Ocean Surgeon" from the North American Journal of Aquaculture. I know there are other studies including sharks where studies have been done.

I use light duty white scouring pads or 5 micron filter socks. If you use carbon in there just make sure it is not lignite.

Those studies were using "unrinsed" lignite carbon....who in our hobby doesn't rinse the carbon before use? Not discounting the study, but really...if you don't rinse your carbon first...you shouldn't be in the hobby.

 

[DOI]

Those studies were using "unrinsed" lignite carbon....who in our hobby doesn't rinse the carbon before use? Not discounting the study, but really...if you don't rinse your carbon first...you shouldn't be in the hobby.

Rinsed or unrinsed it really doesn't matter. In Hemdal's study the lignite was unwashed and the extruded pellet may or may not have been washed since it doesn't say. He did 45% water changes monthly and replaced the carbon every 2 months as per Spotte recommendations. Either way both systems showed lesions and of course the non exposed control didn't. Point being that there was long term exposure even with decreasing carbon present with every water change where the lignite carbon being more severe than the extruded. Lignite carbon has more volatile make up by nature and using it is a disaster in waiting. Bacteria break down everything in a tank via pH drops in the micro environment surrounding them and carbon will dissolve slowly over time due to this and a number of other factors. Rinsing helps deter flash carbon from entering the water column at first but over time its still impossible to never expose a tank whether your rinse it or not.

 

[77pm77]

Ok Thank you for the info. Im going to stay away from the carbon. Is the purigen sold in diffirent ways? Can I bag it my self?? I do have a tight budget
so I would like to save $$ if possible on the things that I can. Other items I know will cost top dollar! Thx again and more info can only help!!