Im a little unsure if I want to put the carbon bags in at all. shouldnt need them correct?

carbon really isnt needed in an oscar tank. imho i would replace the carbon with more bio media instead.

just my 2 cents.

I got 4 baskets load up 3 with bio media or four? I should probably do 4 my tank is overstocked.

yes 4 with bio and then add your floss or whatever to catch the small stuff!!! Good luck!

you could fill the bottom tray with a pre filter or just fill them all with bio media. if you are borderline overstocked i would go with all four with bio media

Im slightly above the 4' max of the water level should I leave 1 tray empty keep it from working so hard?

Im also running a penguin 350

405 what? litres,gallons,

Fluval 405 canister filter.

im going to canister soon but for now running 2 filters my question i have aquaclear and it had sponge goes in bottom the a carbon bag then the bio. so i need buy new bags for it so should i just buy 2 bio bags or should i keep with carbon and bio bag for it. Also they sell ammonia remover bags too for my filter so what the best combo for it caron,bio, ammonia remover??? i have 2 slots for the bags

isnt carbon used to take the brown tint out of water added by driftwood - or am i thinking of summet else?

like activated carbon? sure it is, as its used 2 get smells and stuff out too


feel like im having a blonde moment lol

no, not exactly, but it will help a bit.
Waterchanges will do a better job in getting rid off the tea colour!
On the other hand folks use peat to get a dark water effect with an altered pH.
With some plecos that's the only way to get them to spawn.