Filter Media Help

[Jasontkd]

I am setting up a 20 Gallon all in one cube. I am needing help picking what filter media I want to run in the filter chamber, and I am I just can't decide.

I will have a filter sock on the overflow, and I am going to run Carbon, and probably Purigen. However, I had been leaning toward also substituting MarinePure for the bioballs that the tank comes with, but I have now been reading about increased aluminum levels with MarinePure use.

I am really looking to increase the filtering capabilities as much as possible without getting a skimmer on such a small tank. I want the flexibility to house more than 2 fish, and want the extra filtration.

Can anyone weigh in on this and help me?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Bio balls or a sponge or just about any bio medium will work. To add to the tank's bio-capacity, try a three layer sand bed with sugar size sand on the bottom, medium grade in the middle, and a coarse crushed coral on top. The different grain sizes provide different pore water spaces and thus oxygen levels, which will accommodate different types of bacteria. This added bacterial diversity should add to your carrying capacity. Also consider a macro algae or two, for nutrient uptake.