I just upgraded my hang on filter to Polaris 1 Canister Filter for my 20G planted tank. The canister have 2 baskets to accomodate different types of media.

I need recommendations on what filter media to use best to fill the two media basket of my new canister. I been browsing catalog from Foster & Smith products and there are a lot to choose from. I hold off my purchased list until I get advices here.

Thank you in advance.

Use some type of ceramic rings along with activated carbon. The carbon will be come inert after a week or so (so I've heard) and will be a great host for biological filtration. I personally don't use carbon, but as long as you have something that bacteria can grow on and you not worried about sucking ammonia or something out of the water whatever you use should be fine.

thanks for the reply.

Ive read some medias in the catalog of F&S that softens PH, some remove excessive nitrate, ammonia, removes phosphates, etc., are these really effective to use?

Thanks!

For a planted tank, after the cycling process is completed, and after any ADA Aquasoil has stabilized, you need nothing more than bio filtration and particle removing filtration. The plants get rid of the nitrates and phosphates and ammonia for you. If you want softer water, mix RO water with tap water to get it.

pardon me for my ignorance but, what does ADA Aquasoil means? Is this a generic for substrate?

Once the cycling process is complete wouldn't the plant load in a moderately planted tank do all the filtration you need besides mechanical??

Plant would eat up the Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates without issue wouldn't they?

I am just trying to understand the need for "bio filtration" when you have a planted tank. Seems like the plants would do a better job than media to me.

But that's why I am asking...

ADA Aquasoil is ADA's Amazona Aquasoil, an ADA substrate, reputed to be the best substrate material available. A heavily planted tank, using fast growing plants, doesn't really need to cycle. Cycling starts with ammonia, which gets converted to nitrite, then to nitrate, by bacteria cultures which grow on all surfaces exposed to the tank water. Bio filtration is just adding a material to the filter that has a huge surface area compared to its volume. The heavily planted tank will get rid of the ammonia by the plants consuming it, so it is never a problem. However, if for some reason, such as using ADA Aquasoil, which leaches a lot of ammonia when first set up, there is more ammonia available than the plants can use, then you could run into cycling problems. If you use any form of filter you will have some bio filtration - bio media are not essential. You can't easily stop the nitrifying bacteria from establishing a culture somewhere in the tank and filter.

Great information.
I'll print this up for future reference. Thanks again.

Thanks VaughnH!! I have removed my bio filtration recently and wanted to make sure I didn't do a boo boo..

All I ever use is foam and 50-100 micron filter pads. Stuffed from top to bottom. One big giant sponge I guess...