I will soon be running 2x Cascade 1000 canister filters in my new 55 gal tank. I just received them in the mail today. The filters only have 2 trays (I know some of you have filters with 3). In the first tray it says to use the "coarse sponge pad" first, then the carbon, followed by the floss pad, then in tray 2 use 2x floss pads. I understand the concept here, however I keep reading that some of you use balls or little "trinkets" (lol) in some of your trays. Is this needed and is this an option for me only having 2 trays? Also, what do you use specifically?


EDIT: I will be omitting the carbon pad per some of your beliefs in its cause of HITH.

Well since this particular filter is rated for 100 gallons, you have got quite a lot of filtration for your 55 gallon. I cannot say I am familiar with this actual filter but it states that that it uses sponge media so before you start trying to use any other type of media, you should check to make sure it will work properly.

Personally, I would actually use more of the course bio sponge rather than the flosswhich is more for catching tiny particles, you may find that it clogs up much quicker if you are keeping Oscars. I am not saying don't use the floss, however you may find yourself having to change this every week because the Oscars are very messy indeed.

I use a course pad (mechanical filtration) at the bottom and ceramic rings after that, I also have more ceramic rings at the top plus and less coarse padding at the top.

Carbon can be omitted except to remove meds, you r right bout that. So use the pad at the bottom, if there is still room above it, throw some ceramic rings on it. On the top tray, put ceramic in there, and if you wish, add a finer pad, or just leave it full of ceramic, the more surface area from the rings, the better biological filtration!

Any brand of ceramic rings better than others?

Wow, I guess the instructions were incorrect, or maybe just generic. The filter DOES have 3 baskets! Ok, so on the bottom I guess I will double up on the Coarse sponge pads, the middle do one floss pad and some ceramic rings and in the top just ceramic rings. Does this sound correct? Still omitting the carbon filter.

I think I would be inclined to use ceramic bio media in all of that baskets and just top the last one off with some mechanical filtration. This is how I used to set my Eheim canister up & they worked just fine, in fact they were absolutely fantastic. The problem with sponge is it will become Saturated with crap fairly quickly so I would recommend only use it for mechanical media. You could use a couple of sponges on top of some ceramic bio media, this will help catch most of the solid debris.

As for what ceramic bio media is best, that is debatable and everyone will give their own opinion. Bio media with a really good porous surface area is normally quite good. The rings are good because you've got the outside and the inside for the bacteria to live on.

Thanks!

Immortalduck wrote:


Biomax is awesome as are API's Biostars though they are pricey.

Personally I'd fill all the trays with biomedia and put a sponge on the intake as mechanical filtration which then you can squeeze out into expended tank water at every weekly cleaning / water change. That's what I do and I don't have to crack open those #%@&! canisters so often to clean them. Every time you do that you can risk harming some of your bio-bed (though it of course has to be done occassionally rinsing it with expended tank water) + with some canisters it's a pain to get them reprimed.

OK with OFL's suggestion I will do the bottom 2 trays with the biomax media and the top tray a doubled up coarse sponge pad. I found these on Amazon and I like the price.

www.amazon.com/Hagen-Fluval-Biomax-Media-17-63/dp/B000HHSG5M

Do I need to buy 4 boxes? (one per tray, remember I'm running 2 filters for a total of 4 trays to fill.)

I don't know how big your Canister is.. In the FX5 you need at least 2 boxe per tray per filter! LOL But it is a freaken MONSTER!

I am putting the extra ceramic rings in my sun sun when I fire it up in a couple of days. I mentioned to the guy I bought the filter from that I would prefer an extra couple of the ceramic rings instead of carbon. 'No problem' was his answer. Unforunately it did'nt come with the bio rings and there was a part missing in the box that put me back 'another' couple of days.....lol

pretty much all the ways we suggested would work. I use coarse at the bottom, ceramic on middle and top, and finer sponge on top with ceramic. I also use bio wheels in one of my canisters (i have 3) and the work well too. I also use bio max ceramic rings, and they are the best. NO carbon here!