Where does filter floss go on a media rack?

assad319 · Dec 27, 2019

Hi all.

I have a media rack for my rear sump l. I am going to add some filter floss in a media cup but wanted to know if the cup should go below the carbon bag which is already in the rack or above it?

Magellan · Dec 27, 2019

I think the filter floss, sponge,
or sock should always be first, to trap as much detritus as possible in the easiest and cheapest way.

assad319 · Dec 27, 2019

Magellan said:
I think the filter floss, sponge,
or sock should always be first, to trap as much detritus as possible in the easiest and cheapest way.

So the floss at the bottom and the carbon bag above?

Pntbll687 · Dec 27, 2019

You can really put it wherever you want. My general rule is Mechanical ---> biological ---> then chemical

So in your case I would put the floss before the carbon bag. You don't want the carbon bag getting clogged with detritus that the floss could catch.

SPR1968 · Dec 27, 2019

Magellan said:
I think the filter floss, sponge,
or sock should always be first, to trap as much detritus as possible in the easiest and cheapest way.

+1 to this. Get the detritus out first

assad319 · Dec 27, 2019

As I am a beginner does this mean the filter floss will be at the bottom of the rack and the carbon higher up?

Scurvy · Dec 27, 2019

First in line in whichever direction your water flows. If it flows down through the tower (most/all do I believe) then the floss would be on top.

Scubafrog · Dec 27, 2019

No. If the water flows top to bottom than filter floss is on top.

Lots of good pictures of media baskets, etc. at https://intankaquatics.com/

assad319 · Dec 27, 2019

I guess it must be from the top as that's where the water drops from the top of the tank into the rear sump??

Scubafrog · Dec 27, 2019

assad319 said:
I guess it must be from the top as that's where the water drops from the top of the tank into the rear sump??

Yes, most AIO's water flow from top. Is this a Red Sea Max?

Magellan · Dec 27, 2019

Yes, put it on top so that as soon as the water is being filtered it hits the floss first. (First in line)

assad319 · Dec 27, 2019

Scubafrog said:
Yes, most AIO's water flow from top. Is this a Red Sea Max?

Yes it's the max e260

Phil D. · Dec 27, 2019

Ok, then you will want the filter floss on the BOTTOM due to the fact the water flows bottom to top. I have the E-260 also, but went with the sump upgrade kit.

Scubafrog · Dec 27, 2019

Okay. Yes filter floss would be first in line to catch all large detritus, etc. so your chemical and biological media won't get clogged as fast.

I'm not sure which media basket you have but here is a picture of the basket that inTank sells for your aquarium showing the filter floss in place.

assad319 · Dec 27, 2019

Ok so top or bottom peoples?? The rear sump has a protein skimmer that seems to rise as the gunk is collected at the top of of skimmer? Does this mean the water flows up the tank?

Magellan · Dec 27, 2019

whichever direction is furthest upstream! Sounds like on your tank that might be the bottom, but regardless you want the water to be flowing into the filter floss first, before it contacts the rest of your filter media.

Ky_acc · Dec 27, 2019

I have the Red Sea max e170 and I am having a similar issue.

placing filter floss at the bottom of a rack does not seem very effective.

what I think I’m going to do is place a long strip of filter floss directly behind the surface skimmer grill, and let the protein skimmer hold it in place (the gap between the grill and skimmer is pretty narrow). That way water that filters into the rear chamber will have to go through filter floss first

assad319 · Dec 27, 2019

Ky_acc said:
I have the Red Sea max e170 and I am having a similar issue.

placing filter floss at the bottom of a rack does not seem very effective.

what I think I’m going to do is place a long strip of filter floss directly behind the surface skimmer grill, and let the protein skimmer hold it in place (the gap between the grill and skimmer is pretty narrow). That way water that filters into the rear chamber will have to go through filter floss first

That sounds like a good idea. Having checked with a retailer that sells aftermarket racks for these models they show the floss being at the top of the rack so I'm going to do that for now and see what difference that makes. If nothing then I may just go ahead and just do what you mention. Just be careful to ensure the floss won't slip down when saturated with water. Maybe some tape of some kind but the gap is quite tight so it may just stay in place when squeezed in.

Ky_acc · Dec 27, 2019

assad319 said:
That sounds like a good idea. Having checked with a retailer that sells aftermarket racks for these models they show the floss being at the top of the rack so I'm going to do that for now and see what difference that makes. If nothing then I may just go ahead and just do what you mention. Just be careful to ensure the floss won't slip down when saturated with water. Maybe some tape of some kind but the gap is quite tight so it may just stay in place when squeezed in.

yea I was thinking the space between the skimmer and grill might be small enough to just hold it in place -haven’t had a chance to try yet but if not I might just use a waterproof magnet or something.

also, here is another thread where they discuss the intank mediabasket you reference