How to set up an external canister filter for aquarium by Pondguru

[@pondguru]

BIOHOME FILTER MEDIA, FILTER UPGRADE KITS AND FOAMS HERE: www.filterpro.co.uk Decent external filters: geni.us/2LnO 2.3 litre booster filter for externals: geni.us/2bj1 1.2 litre booster filter for externals: geni.us/1pBh This video shows how to set up an external filter for an aquarium using simply 3 grades of foams and great quality filter media........With the bewildering array of filter media available for sale and manufacturers trying to outdo each other with pointless technical jargon designed to confuse the beginner and enthuse the armchair 'expert' I decided it was time to once again make filtration simple and understandable. Filtration is at its most basic level a 2 stage process: 1 - Mechanical Filtration. The water passes through a series of foams or screens, each one finer than the last until it is visibly clean with no (or very few) suspended solids. 2 - Biological Filtration. The 'clean' water flows over and through media which can be plastic, ceramic or sintered glass. The best types of media are high quality sintered glass and ceramic (although there is a nation of poor quality ceramic media for sale from China). The media supports beneficial aerobic bacteria which consumes ammonia and nitrite, producing nitrate as an end product which is used up by plants or exchanged with the atmosphere. The very best media (e.g. Biohome) also supports anaerobic bacteria which will reduce the amount of nitrate providing a more complete filtering process. More surface area = more bacterial colonisation. Common sense. Foams and media to be positioned as follows (in order of contact first to last by water): Coarse, Medium, Fine foams followed by media. Yes, it is that simple. Many manufacturers will advise the incorrect placement of media and foam pads; possibly for no other reason than to sell more replacement media? but if the media is well protected from muck by good foams then it will last many times longer. No doubt there will be some ass clowns who cuss this video up and insist on having filters with digital readouts and the latest branded media but too often the idea of filtration is over worked to the point of stupidity - a case of the 'Emperors new clothes'. A filter is only as efficient as the media it uses and all too often manufacturers will sell cheap external filters which will filter no more than a small foam internal filter due to the media inside them being cheap ineffective crap. Rip out the guts of the cheap filters and replace them with decent layered foams and good quality media and your cheap filter is capable of outperforming the most expensive range of filters. I am using 3kg of BIOHOME *MINI* ULTRA in this video. It is a sintered glass media which has been made to my specifications by the manufacturer of other Biohome media. Unbelievably good stuff. *NOW AVAILABLE - BIOHOME ULTIMATE - It has exactly the same structure of mini ultra but also has the added trace elements of Biohome Plus. This combination easily makes it the best filter media you can buy. For quality filter media supplied Worldwide click the link below and contact me for bulk orders on [e-mail] or 07772848730 BIOHOME FILTER MEDIA, FILTER UPGRADE KITS AND FOAMS HERE: www.filterpro.co.uk **PLEASE NOTE I HAVE CLOSED TYNE VALLEY AQUATICS AND NOW SELL MEDIA FROM HOME ONLINE. COLLECTING MEDIA IS NO PROBLEM JUST RING OR EMAIL ANY TIME.**

[@fasios4335]

Pondguru Outdoors rg

[@msprofessr]

Pondguru Outdoors thx for sharing. Excellent advise! Merry Christmas!!

[@pondguru]

Merry christmas to you too and a happy new year

[@hellbound113]

Can you do a similar set up video for the eheim Professional 4 filter? I'd appreciate it so much

[@pondguru]

The set up is exactly the same except the pro3 and pro4 have a shallow tray in the top which is a 'pre-filter' tray which the water hits before heading down to the bottom and rising up through the trays and through the centre of the pre-filter tray. Therefore just leave the pre-filter tray as it is since it acts as an extra coarse sponge. Water will still go coarse, coarse, medium then fine before it rises up through the media.

[@ADUAquascaping]

Great example. The way you configured the filter is exactly how all of my Eheim filters came brand new. Whomever owned it previously may have configured it that way. I use the classic series and have now adopted this configuration for all of my canister filters.

[@pondguru]

Yes, it is the obvious way to set up your externals but it always amazes me how many self professed 'experts' just set them up exactly how they come from the manufacturer then wonder why they have to keep adding all sorts of chemicals to keep the water right, lol

[@tommypadgett8808]

After having a canister filter running for two years the wrong way I watched this video and changed my media and foams this way. Huge difference in water conditions and cleans the water way better than the recommended setup on the box. Thank you so much for improving my filter and aquarium.

[@pondguru]

Tommy Padgett No worries. It's really common sense to set up the filter so that all the mechanical cleaning is done before the biological but it baffles me why none of the manufacturers do that, lol. Glad your filter is working properly now.

[@pondguru]

btw, bummer about Jeff Hanneman dying. Slayer were one of my favorite bands back in the day. Reign in blood is probably my most played album ever. 10 tracks and 28 minutes of raging perfection.

[@hkja99]

🤘

[@jamescorrover6627]

I would just like to say that we struggled with constant water changes, spiking nitrites and ammonia levels, messy gravel etc until I found this video on how to set up a canister filter correctly. We ordered the eheim mech media and set up the canister filter with all media exactly as you indicated and to date we've been running 0 readings on ammonia, nitrites with only 10 to 15 % water changes weekly or every 10 days. Thanks very much!

[@pondguru]

James Corrover Groovy - sounds good to me. Glad you're pleased with how the filter is performing.

[@johnredorn]

Your videos are loaded with information thanks for sharing

[@pondguru]

No worries, glad you appreciate my efforts and best wishes for 2015.

[@johnredorn]

Happy new year to you as well. Keep up the good work.

[@kg2nc]

I been using your setup on my canister filter for over a year now and the bio media is as clean as the day I put it in. I just rinse the Bio Media with aquarium water and that's it. So I just want to say thank's man.

[@pondguru]

No worries, man. Glad it is going great for you. It still shocks me how many people have their externals set up to ruin their media, lol

[@edwinbarreto58]

Finally, a practical and working counsel on how to set up media on a canister. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you!

[@pondguru]

+Joel Kim Not really as anything fine enough to get through the coarse, medium and fine foams will simply be caught second time around. Last thing you want is the fine particles held in the media chamber clogging up the media and reducing efficiency.

[@pondguru]

+Mr.b External filters are generally very quiet and the main noise will be from water entering the tank via the spray bar.

[@kierankay100]

+Pondguru Outdoors great answer and yeh if there is any noise generated thats loud enough to hear from these you may have air in your pump depends really and also if there is a quite hum im guessing you have it underneath the tank on wood or whatever its on you can reduce the resonance with a rubber pad or a sheet of thin foam thing is you will get many different answers on the internet by hobbyists and everyone has there own setup and opinion on things i just think its a research and learn thing you will never get the write answer about stuff like at the start saying ceramic media is less than useless well it isnt its good in a fresh water tank and its a sort of substitute if you dont have live rock

[@beating2]

+Pondguru Outdoors I have some cheap filter and its the other way arround. I guess its just a design. The 2x bio media is great idea ill try adding more bio.

[@linkssz1699]

i have 2 yellow belly sliders and they are very messy, i have an allpond 1000L an per hr filter in abt a 300l tank, it has 3 chambers, bottom has ceramic the middle has premium carbon and the top has bio balls. If i have ceramic rings in the bottom trey, and the 3 foams you used in the midlle trey and the same media you used in the top trey will it srop my nitrate levels building up so high, after 2 days they can hit 80ppm+.

[@pondguru]

+Link SSZ (Nintendian) Sounds like the filter is way too small for that tank. Ideally you want layered foams in bottom tray and media in 2 trays above that but according to my records the trays for the 1000 will only hold approx. 1kg biohome mini ultra / ultimate per tray so that's only 2kg for the 2 trays. Ideally you would use 1kg per 100 litres to achieve full cycle filtration for a normal tropical community tank but for heavy polluters like turtles you may need twice as much (the equivalent of 3 of the 1000 filters - 6kg in total). If that is the only filter you have on the tank it has no chance of making the water good no matter how you configure the inside unfortunately.

[@robinescott]

Hi too who, Ever reads this comment. I'm so impressed with this basic hands on advice and very understandable talk. A very hands on man with no airs or graces and willing to help us dummy's of this fish enjoyment...Thank you for your share of knowledge. Robin

[@pondguru]

+Ranchu Goldfish The media would need to go into filter bags for easy removal but that would be fine.

[@mygap7016]

Hello pondguru wanto ask you a question about filter media am useing 3 stange mechanical biological and chemical if i change the place biological with chemical first would go mechanival after chemical and last stange buological would it be allright?

[@pondguru]

mygap Ideally the order should be: Mechanical - coarse, medium and fine foam Biological - Good quality media Chemical - Whatever you have Chemical filter media is not needed in 99% of filters set up properly with good media.

[@mygap7016]

Pondguru yes i got just like said mechanical after biohome ultra mini :) and last is a carbon just what i think if i change mecjanical with chemical it will be diferent?

[@pondguru]

mygap Yes a carbon needs to be in very clean water as it clogs up so quickly. It will be the difference between it lasting a few days or 7-8 weeks.

[@abbyents6654]

Pondguru Hello Richard what about fx5 do i have to do as same as you have done that Eheim or and what about the bag of carbon?

[@growjunkieradio]

This is my filter too, the 2028 and i've used exactly the same materials and set it up exactly the same way too! 11/2/2023. Looking forward to seeing if I can achieve a full cycle in the coming months. Thanks @Pondguru for all your time and effort in producing these videos!

[@ThousandYardStare]

(my other channel) No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful. As long as you've got plenty of media for the stocking situation you should achieve a full cycle. There is a guide on the Q&A of the FilterPro site with hints and tips about filtration, bacteria etc.

[@growjunkieradio]

@@ThousandYardStare Also would like to add, the company Biohome, from the Netherlands is an asset to your company! Extremely fast service and very informative.

[@ThousandYardStare]

@@growjunkieradio Nice one - it is always great to hear when a company does well and I've had similar reports about the NL distributor. I think it is Nils who runs that one and although I've only communicated with him in the initial stages of him setting the business up he seems like a really nice and knowledgeable guy.

[@growjunkieradio]

​@@ThousandYardStareI know you already know regarding being able to achieve a full cycle but there are some doubters! Just want to let everyone know 4.5 months later, I have achieved zero nitrates! GoodVibes

[@ThousandYardStare]

@@growjunkieradio (my other channel) That is great to hear and it's just about the right time scale for the anaerobic bacteria to fully develop. Thanks for the report.

[@pondguru]

rec0n117 With regard to chemical filtration it really needs to go right at the top so it is the last thing the water hits before it leaves the filter.

[@Kai-dg9ev]

You didn't have any activated carbon/zeolite. Should I go the way of you and exclude those from my canister filter and use the now free space for more biological media? Thanks.

[@pondguru]

Bob Faith Carbon can still be used if you want to lock up any colouration from bogwood, almond leaves or peat balls but it is often used by filter manufacturers to mask the fact that the filter is not working properly (due mostly to crappy media) hence the need to replace regularly when it is full of the pollution the filter should have processed. Similar story with zeolite. If you have a filter which is correctly set up with quality media and is big enough for the size of the tank you should not need carbon or zeolite and your water changes will be less frequent due to the increased efficiency of the filter. In short, yes after the mechanical filtration has removed all the suspended dirt from water try to get as much biological media in there as possible to process the ammonia, nitrite and (in the case of biohome) nitrate too.

[@Kai-dg9ev]

This is what I read on Eheim website. Tip: Only use adsorptive (zeolites and carbon) filter media for a few weeks, as the harmful substances are only attached and can loosen after some time and be reintroduced into the water. At the very least they should be changed regularly. Normally adsorptive filtration is only necessary during aquarium set-up or after treatments with medications. Thanks for the tip mate. btw, which canister filter would you recommend? Fluval or Eheim? I live in Australia and these appear to be the two most filter popular (or at least widely sold) brands. Hopefully you can get a distributor into Australia one day cause I really want the Biohome media *sigh. I don't mind using my ceramic rings but they ain't very good for anaerobic bacteria colonisation. The shipping cost to Oz is insane!!! Thanks for the help.

[@pondguru]

Bob Faith Yes shipping is very prohibitive to AU from UK and nobody seems willing to take the plunge with regard to distribution which is a shame as I regularly get asked about a supplier for that region. That description from Eheim seems fair and those additives really are just to remove excess chemicals from tap water and treatments. Once your filter is mature and processing all the waste you shouldn't need them except for maybe after a course of treatment to quickly remove it. I would personally go for Eheim filters but they are very expensive. Ultimately it is more important to have the correct filter set up internally as that will dictate how well the filter functions with regard to waste processing and an expensive filter set up badly will never outperform a cheap filter set up properly with good media.

[@Kai-dg9ev]

Pondguru Ok I have just taken the plunge and purchase Biohome Ultimate. Sure the delivery fee (to Aus) cost more than the actual product itself and many people will think I'm crazy, but it'll mean that I'll never have to buy carbon/zeolite ever again so hopefully I'll save some money in the long run. I really don't like having to change the carbon/zeolite every month or so.

[@VineethLp]

This is the first time i am getting the correct knowledge of filtration setup. Thank you for the valuable information.

[@allycapone101]

This is brilliant and thank you!! There are so many contradicting instructions all over the Internet but this makes perfect sense! I changed my filter yesterday from the way it was sent from the manufacturer to your way and the water is 100% so much better looking! Great video.

[@pondguru]

No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful as I put the videos out to help. It's amazing how many channels on KZbin still rail against this obvious and sensible set up but I suppose that's the state of 'social media' now. The fact is that every sewerage works and water treatment plant uses the same set up for their filters - If that way of filtering has been working for the last 200+ years then I reckon it's good - I'm just surprised (and disappointed) that some manufacturers don't follow common sense.

[@MrVinodbhatia]

Your video was such an inspiration. Today I cleaned up my dophin 1300 canister filter on my 70 g tank. I had got it from someone. I had not noticed anything as it was from an established tank (I got it with the tank and the stock in it). When I opened it up today all media was all over the place as so absolutely wrongly stacked. The filter is strong and cycles at 2300 L per hour which is great. So I stripped it completely. I removed the polyster filling which was so mucky and was in most of the 4 trays. I put the bio ceramic rings in the aquarium water in a bucket. I washed all the trays & I got the gunk out of the filter and washed it thoroughly. I put in ceramic rings at the bottom 2" gap which appeared in my canister filter too. Then I filled the first tray with coarse then medium & then fine sponges. I had to cut these out as your video showed. Then in the second tray from bottom I put in new bio balls. Then in the third tray from bottom I added the same ceramic rings which had all the beneficial bacteria in them from the filter. In the top last tray I added two bags of activated carbon as I had a new seasoned drift wood which was still giving out tannins. I washed the impeller and filled the filter with clean aquarium water. I have now plugged it in & the flow is great. I didnt get a chance to clean the input and output hoses today. Maybe next time. Thanks for your video which was a great help. One question how often do I clean the canister filter ? Thanks again

[@pondguru]

How often the filter needs cleaning really depends on the fish stock, feeding and how much waste is generated in the tank. Usually it is best to check every month but if you find it to be clean after a month extend the cleaning to 6 weeks. If you are using carbon it will need replacing every 7-8 weeks so a maintenance schedule of once every 8 weeks would be the longest the filter could go without being opened up (to change carbon).

[@MrVinodbhatia]

Thankyou

[@pondguru]

It is very popular with most manufacturers but I've never really been one of it's biggest fans. Most important thing in a filter is the good quality biological media.

[@daredevildeanbodom]

Mr.Guru, you are sir by far is the best man out here on youtube who actually makes sense of what he says when it comes to aqua life, and I have learned a lot from you so from the bottom of my heart, a BIG THANK YOU!

[@pondguru]

Anas Salameh Glad you appreciate the videos as I love making them. It bugs me when self proclaimed 'experts' on here make videos on how to set up external filters and simply go through the manufacturers instructions then their viewers fall over themselves to praise them. I much prefer to throw out new ideas and get them out there for viewers to think about what happens in their filters and aquariums.Although I have closed down my shop I will still be making filtration videos and have a couple in the works now.There will be a mega give away coming up very soon too when I get nearer 50K subscribers. Actually there will be 3 give aways for the 3 main topics on my channel: Aquatics, metal detecting and outdoor hobbies so look out for them. Any active subscribers can enter so I think I will do a video showing what is on offer this week if I get time to shoot it so look out for that. I love giving stuff away, lol

[@daredevildeanbodom]

Pondguru I really appreciate that you have put all the media parts on Ebay , currently I dont trust the manufacturer's assortment in my canister filter. I'll spread the word for you out there, you deserve our support :)

[@pondguru]

Anas Salameh No worries, I would much rather have a smaller view number and have more informed viewers than be the biggest channel out there for aquatics or detecting and have brain dead sheep following me - it's great to have people watching the videos who appreciate new ideas, will develop them further and question parts of what I'm doing to improve our over all understanding.

[@pondguru]

Not sure if you are asking for advice on the best way to set up your filter but that is what this video is about. The plastic bio balls may as well be thrown out as they just waste space. The foams need to go in the correct order and be followed by good quality biological media. That's about it really.

[@gabem6148]

Whenever I'm searching for aquarium info (which is often conflicting/outdated), you put my mind at ease with your knowledge and innovation. I really appreciate you sharing it with the rest of us. Thank you for this, and all of your other very informative videos!

[@pondguru]

No worries, man. Glad you enjoy the videos. I really should get some more aquatic ones made.

[@benw1307]

I like your vids, to the point and not waffling on. Speeding up boring bits is much appreciated too. Keep it up.

[@pondguru]

+Ben W Glad you enjoyed the video. Some people would argue that my voice is so boring the whole video should speeded up, lol

[@pondguru]

It has very little surface area per volume and filtration in an external filter is all about having a protected filter media which has maximum available surface area per volume so that the bacterial colony is as big as possible in there.

[@CoriolisAffectment]

Ah ha! Even though we've had goldfish for a very long time it's only in the last few years that we've had an external canister filter. For the life of me I had this suspicion that the foams should work in concert -- that's only common sense -- but it's only now, since we just purchased a new unit where the manufacturer claims one should have the fine foam just before the water returns to the tank that I decided to look further into the situation and am very pleased to see your video. Thanks!

[@pondguru]

I will give the clickable annotation a go. That sounds sensible. I already have the channel icon showing on all my videos (including this one) but don't go with the featured video as it looks too cluttered when it shows too. I have had a channel intro for ages on my channel. Just did one specifically for metal detecting which I will be putting on the start of all my detecting videos if I can get time to go detecting. Thanks for watching, man.

[@simonmcardell6868]

I did have quite high nitrate levels in my tank that required weekly water changes. Brought an external filter filled it with bio home mini and bio home ultimate with 3 stage mechanical filtration at the base. Took pondguru advice and stuck some in the empty space at the bottom of the filter and have had perfect water for 2 months now.thanks.ps clean out every month. 2 pearl guramis 2 balloon mollys 10 neons 4 xl zebras 3 Chinese suckers.17 gal.

[@nicobmy]

Thank you ... I follow all your advice and step... it not only save my money to get a new canister... I just invested on biohome. Work like a magic .... thank you so much.

[@gipsyrom]

Filters I have are of different sizes. 2080 have around 12L media originally substrat pro. I want to use on the bottom layer foam like in your video. Many aquarist using pre-filter in the suction inlet but any they your option suit me best and is logic. I've seen most of your videos and I love it. You are real aquapond guru .-) Wish you all best

[@pondguru]

Same thing is true of all types of filter. If you are using good porous media it needs to be protected by graded foam. Coarse, medium then fine foam before the water hits the media. If the filter foams and media are fully submerged or wet/dry the need for good mechanical filtration prior to media is still the same. Hope that clarifies.

[@pondguru]

It would be a good experiment indeed. One I do not have time for since my only aquariums are at the shop and they have a high turnover of fish so its not the best place to do such a test. Would be interesting to find out the answer to that though.

[@loztronics9237]

Great video, as are the others. I've just upgraded to a tetratec ex600. It's setup as, ceramic, coarse, bio balls, carbon, fine. Would you suggest I change the order ?

[@pondguru]

That is the claims made by the distributor in Singapore. I tend to say replace the media in your external with biohome and if the filter was coping before it will do a much better job with the biohome. The amount of water any media will filter is very variable as it depends on fish stock, quality of mechanical filtration prior to media contact, flow rate, type of filter etc. it cannot accurately be quantified as far as I'm concerned.

[@pondguru]

Unless you go for a media which supports anaerobic bacteria and or plant many more plants, I'd usually suggest water changes but when nitrate is high coming out of the tap you would need to use a product like Nitrazorb from API. The biohome media actively reduces nitrate once the anaerobic bacteria has colonised deep within the media but will not eliminate it completely.

[@pondguru]

Unfortunately I couldn't do that since fluval seem intent on giving internet only businesses crazy discounts and making independent fish shops pay through the nose for their stuff so we don't stock them. I'm not a fan of HOB filters so we only stock the occasional small one unfortunately. The media and how the filter is set up is ultimately more important than the type or make of filter so good to hear you are going to be giving the Biohome media a try. Mini ultra and ultimate are most popular.

[@egidijusbruzas1850]

great info! thank you very much, now I know my filter is not running in its 100% potential... is there any way of cleaning the clogged up media? or should I buy new media??

[@kayteerosee]

While searching for better filter media I stumbled across your channel.. I have an Eheim filter and while cleaning it out I always noticed how much muck and particles were always inside the media. I never really thought my eheim was working up to snuff. While watching this video I had a dumb blonde moment and was like well yeah that makes sense if there is no foam in the bottom to filter the particles they will be stuck to the media. I will be changing around the set up of my filter thanks to this video and adding biohome as soon as I get it. Thanks for doing such a fantastic job I will be watching more of your videos😬😬😬😬

[@pondguru]

No worries and I'm glad you've taken something useful from the videos. I have lots of aquarium / filtration ones planned which I am shooting this month for release from end of September until the end of the year - 10 planned so far and they will each cover numerous different (but related) topics.

[@Backblast72]

I have actually followed your advice on my canister filter (a Marineland Magniflow 360) and it works great. I did go ahead and bought some of the bio home media and have been measuring my water parameters over the past five months; and just like you said my Nitrates did go down tremendously. I have a planted aquarium and thus use the E.I method of fertilizing my plants with Thrive liquid fertilizer. It works great and my plants are nice and green and lush. But the only problem with it my Nitrates would be through the roof with it. In my tank they went from 110ppm to about 15ppm in about five months. Great product and it works great. Thank your for your advice.

[@labae8728]

woahh how are they now?

[@bigboy5523]

Great video I did this when the video was first posted and it worked well. About a year ago I took it a step further so now I have two Aqua one 1250 filters in line the water comes into the first one which is filled with just sponge and wool course at the bottom and fine at the top, this then feeds directly into the second filter which is filled entirely with bio home mini ultra then through a uv steriliser and back into the tank. I have the same set up at the other end of the tank so four filters in sets of two. All is going really well the bio filter is nice n clean and the pre filters nice n dirty. My question is as the pre filter foam gets dirty and so builds up its own good bacteria will this starve the second biological canisters bacteria of oxygen?. I would hate to think I wasn't getting the best use of the bio home ultra thanks.

[@pondguru]

It would definitely be better to run the filters separately or in tandem as having them in sequence strains the pump and leaves limited space for media if one filter is used purely for foams. The media in a prefiltered canister should stay very clean but you can do that with this sort of pre-filter which is very cheap: geni.us/2bj1 Having the filters set up any way should not affect the oxygen content too much as the flow is quite fast so no worries there. Regards, Richard

[@pondguru]

All the best yourself, man. I don't mind going against the general way of doing things if I think that the way most have followed is wrong. This is a case in point. The manufacturers should know how to set up their own gear so why don't they recommend the sensible way to do it? To sell you more media when it becomes quickly clogged up? Maybe... Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@pondguru]

Not sure if you actually watched the video but that is exactly what I use them for, in the very lowest part of the filter. They have not got enough surface area to be of any other use.

[@pondguru]

There are so many reasons why water may be cloudy but usually it is from residual dust on sand or gravel. The fine particle pad / floss in the filter should remove the muck but a treatment which clumps it will help e.g. filter aid.

[@roxyqueen5076]

Hello Mr.GURU...I do the way that you do it buitI always add one tray of one small bag of activated carbon and one small bag of zeolite in one tray..I have 4 trays ..I find hat my tanks are very clear and they do not smell and I have no algae blooms..My tanks have been very clean and I have less cleanings...Thanks for your video..oh my question is why dont you use the carbon and zeolite? To each his own but I really find that this really works for me. thanks for all of your videos..they are very professional and I just love all of them!! BTW...I have 2 sun sun 304B canister filters and they have been running now for 3 years non stop and I am very pleased with this product which I only paid like $60 bucks for each..

[@pondguru]

Like the best open pore ceramic media, sintered glass will break down over time but you should still get a few years out of it. After 2-3 years the internal structure of the media will be packed out and need replacing anyway. not sure if you ordered the ultra or mini ultra as there has been so much going out lately but they are both very good media. Protect with layers of good foam filtration and any media will last longer.

[@pondguru]

The principles of filtration still apply no matter what the filter lay-out. Water must go through coarse, medium then fine foam followed by biological media.

[@karenamurray62]

I could watch you all day long... Learn more from you than from any other way x Keep them coming x

[@duke24756]

thanks for all the knowledge and information. I will definitely be purchasing from you in the near future. I have a 200 gal. aquarium and a Megaflow model 4 sump tank. I will be putting Arowana, alligator gar, bass, red tail catfish, and other big fish in this aquarium. 1. how much media do I purchase? 2. what type of media do I purchase? 3. how would you set-up the ceramic media and foam pads for my type of sump (Megaflow Model 4)?

[@pondguru]

If you send me the dimensions of the parts you want to fill with media I can work out how much you will need, no worries. Just set up same way with the foams first then media no matter what sort of filter you have. I'm not familiar with that model of filter so I'll need sizes to work out media quantities. Glad you enjoy the videos, man.

[@pondguru]

All you would be doing is moving your existing sponges and fine pad to the logical position so you shouldn't remove any media. The choice of media used will have the biggest effect on how many fish the filter will support. As explained in the video, some media which comes with a filter is useless so should be removed or relocated (if there is space) to aid primary settlement. Having efficient media protected by graded foams will deliver a long lasting, hard working biological zone in your filter

[@pondguru]

Yes, you can leave the pre filter in the top of the filter then add the graded foams (including the fine sponge) to the bottom tray and scrap the hard ceramic tubes. Filter will be much more efficient and your media will be protected from clogging quickly.

[@harbordental806]

Thanks...i got dolphin 700 it is sufficient for my 150 liter tank..i will set as u suggest...actually this is my first aquarium attemt....now the other que bio balls,ceramic ring and biohome mini ultra.....how long it works......and it's use only one time or after washing it we use again?????

[@vipercma]

Great video, I'm new to tropical setup. I'm just cycling the tank now, 3rd day in. The filter is hanging on the back and is a FLUVALL EDGE. It came with course foam, carbon, and bio pellets. Can I do the same thing in my filter as you have done in this big filter ? If I remove the carbon that will give me some extra room for some fine foam ? As it is at the moment there is nothing to catch the very fine particles. And there is easily more room for even more medium, should I put more in if I can ? Ok sorry for so many questions.

[@pondguru]

Yes that sound sensible. The more mechanical and biological filtration you have the cleaner and healthier the water will be.

[@thinker1040]

hi congratulation for sharing your knoledge. just wonder to know how often should i clean the external filter?

[@pondguru]

Claude pierre-louis It will vary from tank to tank but when you notice the return flow slow down you know that the foams have been clogged so its time to clean them.

[@MrKeithHoward]

I couldn't agree more with your advice on how to set up the filtration process. I've used the same principle for external canisters and sumps and always noticed how much more efficient the biological filtration system works and increases the lifespan of the media material of your choice. The only downside IMHO is that one has to be more on-top of basic maintenance as the pads at the bottom tend to get clogged up quicker and slow flow rates. However its worth the extra effort.

[@pondguru]

It really shouldn't make any difference to how often a filter needs cleaning as you've got the same stuff in there, just in a different order but maybe it does, lol Main thing is that the muck is kept in the bottom of the filter and away from the media so it works efficiently. Glad you appreciate the idea, man and thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@MrKeithHoward]

fair comment, thanks for your prompt reply & a big hello from the Rock of Gibraltar :-D

[@MrKeithHoward]

:-D

[@kyokohitsuji]

Absolutely love you! haha! No Nonsense, no selling expensive products we don't need, no faffing around job done. Plus i could listen to your accent for hours tellin me stories haha. I'm going to be constructing a new tank to be built into the alcove in my livingroom and will be purchasing my first canister filter, so this vid helped a ton! Thanks pet!!

[@RezidentZombie]

I just ordered the biohome media. Your video was very helpful. I have been doing lots of water changes and still have ammonia readings that I can't get under control. I hope this helps.

[@pondguru]

As long as you have a sensible amount for the size of tank and stock there is no reason why it wouldn't work very well but feel free to contact me any time with any questions. [e-mail] Regards, Richard

[@natalielindsay2303]

Thanks so much Pondguru! I just got rid of an overhead filter (which came with my tank) and set up a canister filter as per your advice. What a difference! My canister filter has only 2 trays so I put the (uselesss) ceramic noodles on the bottom of the canister, 3 grades of sponge in the bottom basket (as well as some of my old sponges) and really good bio filter media in the top basket with a layer of filter wool on top for that extra "polish". An hour after turning the filter on the water is crystal clear and my tank looks amazing. Thank you so much for your video. Just one question though, how often should I clean out the canister filter? I have goldfish which I know are messy.

[@pondguru]

+Natalie Lindsay Sounds good to me - definitely makes a difference to water quality and clarity to have the filter set up with good internals.

[@Shelzbells]

I ordered some of the bio home ultra for a new canister filter that I am getting. I will be setting up the foams and media per your advice. My question is, does it matter which level in the trays you place the bacteria balls? I hope thats not a silly question lol

[@swampymc8]

hi.... set my filters up as you have said and they doing a great job ,, thanks ,, what I would like to no is I am thinking of adding purigen in them but with only having 2 baskets in each filter would I put it in bottom tray above filters or just sat on top of the media in top tray ,,,, thanks again

[@pondguru]

I would always put water conditioners on the top of the top basket so water hits that last. Glad you're pleased with the way your filters are set up. Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@bobleonard1802]

Great video! Thanks for the info. I am switching to a 55 from a 20 and am trying to avoid any cycling. Should I cut the filter media out of my HUB (two cartridge filters back to back) and add it to the 2nd or 3rd stage of the Fluval 306? I was also planning on floating the bio wheel. I will use roughly 15 pounds of existing gravel from the 20 and add roughly 60 more pounds. The only ornament being transferred is a log and about 10 plants. Thanks! Bob

[@pondguru]

With all the mature gravel and water going in the new tank it should cut out the need to cycle it. Provided you haven't got catfish, corydoras or loaches gravel will be fine (I assume its a cold water tank). Just run existing filters on new tank and new external for 3-4 weeks then remove the old filters.

[@geofreywrigley5774]

Hi, makes sense what you're saying. Ive bought all the stuff to do this myself. Just wondering if you have a follow up video of just how much extra waist you're collecting compared to a standard set up

[@jowhitez6042]

Might sound a daft question, but if I go and pimp my canister filter is the pump still going to manage with the extra foam or more bio I put in it? I'm only just staring out, I want to start my canister at its best. I've noticed I need to improve the bio section for sure. I will also buy better foam pads. Will the flow rates be the same.

[@MsJimbo1960]

I bought a load of biohome ultra and it is excellent,Rich really knows his stuff...

[@pondguru]

It's an awesome media no doubt about that and I appreciate the positive feedback on it. Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@pondguru]

I'd maybe put the either right in the top or in the very bottom. It doesn't matter too much. If I was pushed I'd say bottom then any small particles of peat which are released will be filtered out by the foams.

[@DarrenFord11111]

Sooo glad i watched this as I'm about to setup my first external filter. I'm going to do exactly the same but as i have bogwood in my tank and it does discolour the water a fair bit, I was advised to add carbon (which i have ready to go).. Though I wasn't sure where to place it.. at the top?

[@DarrenFord11111]

Or, should I even bother with it? lol

[@pondguru]

Darren Ford It does aid water clarity by removing the staining and also helps soak up treatments after a course of treatment for water or fish. Carbon should go right at the top so it is the last thing the water hits on the way out of the filter but it is by no means necessary.

[@elleziehl4734]

Hey, love this video. I have a question. I have a Fluval 406 canister filter. It has 4 trays not including the coarse foam pads going down the side. I can either have 1 tray of biological media and 2 trays of carbon. OR I can have 2 trays of biological media and 1 tray of carbon. Which one is best in your opinion? Thanks.

[@pondguru]

I wouldn't bother with the carbon and simply go with the extra grades of foam / fine pad in bottom tray then fill remaining trays (3) with media. I don't have sizes of 406 trays recorded but the 405 takes 500g of mini ultra or ultimate media per tray. Carbon is often used to mask the fact that your filter can't process ammonia and nitrite (due to set up / ineffective filter media) so in a properly set up filter it will not be needed unless you want to draw in residual treatments or remove colour from bogwood / peat.

[@pondguru]

The fine particle matting is basically a more compressed form of filter floss which can be cut to size. When you use the fine pad you do not need filter floss. If you want to use floss, not fine pad it goes in place of fine pad above the medium and coarse sponges (as shown in the video). The worst place to use it is above the media as it allows all the fine muck into the filter media, blocking it up and reducing the effectiveness of the filter (as explained in video) Thanks for watching.

[@SEMMO1972]

Very new to this hobby (tropical fresh fish) but man i learnt more stuff in a few days from PONDGURU than any other place, thanks for pure gold infomation, its guys like you make the world spin man keep it up :)

[@pondguru]

Thanks for appreciating my efforts, man. I always like to share information freely and there should be some interesting filtration projects coming in 2015 so I'm excited to see how they are received by viewers.

[@gipsyrom]

I' am on your site !! Like I said I am your fan. Manufacturers will always do what is best to their business. I using pre filter on my filters but my serious problem I have is high nitrate from tap water.(N03 45ppm) I bought plants Anubias nana but doesn't help to reduce N03. What do you think is best option to fight with nitrate ? Thank you

[@glenndenisonii6354]

hi richard i did exactly the set up you have here apart from the noodles under the bottom tray...you have these for diffusion but would they be creating a rattle if they were bouncing about...the ones i had i had from my old eheim were plastic and float...was just unsure about using them and was under pressure for time so i just decided to let them out..not that much space under bottom try in the eheim 2080 but might try it next time....cheers

[@pondguru]

Plastic is no good under the trays and it really needs to be ceramic as it is heavy. It will not rattle about. Glad you have the filter set up properly, man

[@pondguru]

Without seeing your external I would have no idea on that one. If the filter already has media in it then it is fine to replace with the biohome media. If not, what is in it?

[@pondguru]

Any filter media which supports large amounts of bacteria will eventually become clogged by them and need replacing. I normally say 2-3 years is a reasonable time for media to run it's course as it will become rapidly established with bacteria then perform well for a year or two before gradually reducing effectiveness. Same is true of ceramic or sintered glass and lifespan can be increased by protecting the media as shown in the video, no worries. You can dry out and re-use, yes.

[@amybrooks4438]

Absolutely LOVE your videos and your knowledge Mr. Pondguru!! I just purchased my first canister filter and it actually has 4 trays.... Could I follow your suggestions in this video and set up the foam in the bottom tray and have the other 3 trays full of biomedia? I am using Ultimate Media (per your suggestions in your other awesome videos!) and want to be sure that 3 trays full of biomedia won't do any harm... Thank you so much!

[@brianholbrook4159]

This video was wonderfully informative. Showed me foam all belongs at bottom. thanks!!

[@mikeywilliams2465]

Thanks PondGuru you're the best. just received my media and installed in my fx6! within hours Ive noticed a difference..cheers mate

[@pondguru]

+mikey williams Groovy, it will mature fast and give great water quality no worries there.

[@Ronty711]

Useful video. Can you please advise me where to find pre-built pond decking top border? Since I don't have the tools to build it, I am looking for pre-built. It's a rectangular shape. 11/6.5 feet square.

[@pondguru]

No worries, I'm glad you found it of use and will now have a more efficient filter.

[@emptyprofile798]

Cracking vid, I am worried my media is setup wrong so this has been a huge help, although I have an Ocellaris 850, I'm not sure if it filters from the top or bottom if that's makes sense. At the moment it's setup like this starting from the bottom, sintered glass substrate, blue sponge 15ppi, sintered glass noodles, blue sponge 15ppi, black sponge 35ppi and finally on top wool. Does the water on this filter start getting filtered from top? Nub question I know but if you could point me in the right direction?

[@motleypixel]

Great instruction...thank you. For the medium foam, does it matter if the reticulated side is pointed down or not...to me it seems the water flow should hit the larger surface area first?

[@pondguru]

Arrrrgh, yes I just checked and I made a balls of that in this video. The bumpy side should always face down if the water is coming from below as it does in 99% of external filters. I will be doing another video like this over next couple of days and I will be sure to point that out I will also mention about the gel filter starter balls too. Well spotted, man.

[@motleypixel]

Pondguru Cool, I'll look out for the new video. I came here because I picked up a second hand 2028. I am working with an o-ring vendor to see if if we can get a standard EDPM 70 Duro round oring to work for the main head oring. Have you ever used a regular round cross-section oring for this seal? I am also finding it hard to find not only reasonably priced eheim 2028 parts here in the US, but also the Biohome media. I don't necessarily want to order ebay from across the pond.

[@pondguru]

Roy Niswanger I have had nothing to do with replacement seals unfortunately so I'm not much help there but the direct link to the US supplier of biohome is in the video description.

[@ulisotes01]

you explain straight forward and simple. thank you can you tell me whats the brand and particular filter you have here i really think i want it.

[@pondguru]

+ulises olivares It was an eheim pro 2. Can't remember what the model was - may have been 2223?

[@pondguru]

Nice one, man. Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@TinkerTailor.]

Thanks for the great info, I've just bought a new 30-gallon freshwater aquarium and will be filling the canister with biome ultimate. I've been wrestling with the idea of running a UV sterilizer full time. What are your thoughts on this?

[@pondguru]

Unless there are several tanks linked to the same filter there should be no need for a UV but it will not do any harm as long as the filter is a good size, well set up and you leave the UV off for 3-4 weeks while setting up and maturing the filter (to give bacteria time to flow through the whole system) - your 30gal. would need a filter which would be suited to a a tank of 'up to 60 gallons' as you'd always halve the 'up to' figure for a normally stocked tank since it relates to a fully planted tank with hardly any fish (that is the maximum it will cope with)

[@TinkerTailor.]

Thank you so much for the reply and the input!

[@tonyleah2796]

just watched your article on filtration and setting up external filter, fancy getting a tank again. finally understand whats happening in the filter re ammonia, nitrite, nitrates.why do fluval,eheim etc set you up wrong?? yours makes more sense.

[@pondguru]

+tony leah Why companies set their filters up wrong and then suggest you buy more products from them to combat rising ammonia, nitrite and nitrate can only be for financial reasons as it makes no sense from a fish keeping, maintenance and water quality point of view. Filtration should be simple and effective so I'm glad you appreciate the video.

[@sidneywhite749]

I followed your suggestions p,acing crappy ceramic rings at the bottom and am amazed how much poop it collects. I use sun sun canisters and per your suggestion placed foams in the bottom tray but here I have a question: first in black bumpy foam, next dark blue bumpy medium foam and last a fine lime green foam. The other trays have media. The lime green foam has a lot of muck on the top of it, correct. Oh, my final top tray has a white pad on top of the media. All my tanks are chiclids btw.

[@pondguru]

The lime green foam in bottom tray has muck on top of it as the last tray has a fine white pad. That concentrates the fine muck in the media trays so that's why I always advise using the fine pad in the bottom tray to make sure water is clear before hitting the media. All mechanical filtration should be done before water hits media. Coarse, medium and fine in bottom tray then media in trays above - that way all the muck is held in bottom of filter and media is clean and able to work more efficiently.

[@humptygti]

great post! but i have a question.. i'm using the eheim 2180 and have it set up using there media + how they say to put it in within the manual. i have a tank of 160x59x48cm and its a mbuna tank so stocked quite full, my question being, if i remove the media from the bottom tray and replace it with sponges will the filter still have enough good bacteria within the two baskets that are left to cope with the cycle process? thanks

[@himdall2000]

After I watched your video, I change the lay out in my Jebao Filter 4 stage and the result is amazing, I have a fluval u4 in the tank as well so the water is pristine clear. I do have a question for you, since I'm new in the canister world, I place my layer like thisfrom top to bottom, layer 1 to 4: layer 1: (top) ceramic ring layer 2: Bio balls layer 3: activated carbon and ammonia reducer layer 4: (bottom) pads is that correct?

[@pondguru]

The bottom tray with foams in no worries. I'd just fill remaining trays with good media as the plastic balls are no good as a biological media, chances are the ceramic rings are low quality (as they almost always are with Chinese filters) and the ammonia remover and carbon will not be needed if the filter is working properly. Once you have a filter set up with simple mechanical and biological filtration you will not need to keep buying carbon and ammonia reducer as the fish waste will all be processed effectively.

[@himdall2000]

K thanks for your comments, I will buy better media like the one in your video, I saw some on ebay, thanks again

[@pondguru]

Marc Tremblay No worries, man.

[@rahulzinho]

Thank you for a very nice and clear argumentation. Some say the last filter should be fine just before it leaves the canister but i do see the point to get this done before it hits the bio media. Thank you very much, I got torphs and would change my ordering of media immediately based on this video. Quick question - any thoughts about the Fluval FX6 filter? considering buying it as a second backup for my 550 Ltr troph tank. (running a eheim prof 3 currently). Thanks again!

[@pondguru]

+rahulzinho I think you have also contacted me by email? Hopefully I answered questions there.

[@rahulzinho]

indeed! Thanks!

[@KVT10]

Thanks for replying Richard. I will just go with the 3 foams and bio home as my media in both baskets. I didn't really want to add carbon/chemical filtration products. You can't be absolutely sure what chemicals you are putting in the tank. Cheers.

[@ianmoore1764]

So glad I watched this before setting up my first external filter, so many different & potentially bad reviews on how to do this, one question I have, on another tank of mine I have a juwel internal filter, would squeezing the sponges from this into my new external filter remove the need to cycle the tank for weeks before adding any stock?

[@pondguru]

I've never really seen the need for UV units in aquariums although they may reduce the parasite problems associated with multi tank systems. Glad you are pleased with the media, man.

[@pondguru]

lol. I appreciate for the compliment. Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@Follow_picasso]

thanx for the video....would this work for salt water?

[@kg2nc]

I just check the nitrates of my tank and its between 5-10ppm and it was 40+ppm. So this setup is definitely doing something. I put the foam & media in the order you suggested on your video. It's been less then a week. Would love to get the media you use but I can't right now. Thanks again

[@briandoolally348]

Brilliant. I put canister filter above aquarium?

[@pondguru]

External filters are one of the most efficient ways to filter an aquarium and since so many different companies are making them now the price has come way down. Generally the less you pay the worse quality the media will be so I would advise swapping out all the media for Biohome Mini Ultra or Biohome Ultimate and setting up foams as directed in this video. Filtration should be a simple but effective process but manufacturers have lost sight of that.

[@paulballantine4614]

Great info and video. Would this set up apply with my Aqua one ocellaris 850 canister filter? Many thanks

[@pondguru]

+Paul Ballantine Yes it works exactly the same way. Unfortunately I don't have the tray sizes written down for that model but if you measure the trays and send me dimensions I can work out how much media would fit. [e-mail]

[@robbie666999]

Great video, just wondering if this set up would work with any canister filter?, I'm thinking of getting a all pond solutions filter,

[@pondguru]

Yes it would work just the same for an APS filter and there are very few filters which are different. The FX from Fluval trays work top to bottom and some filters have a small 'pre-filter' tray in the top which should be left as it is but apart from that canisters can be set up as in this video as the trays work bottom to top.

[@mynewhaircut]

Wow this stuff is awesome. I never have seen the colors pop on the fish so much.

[@mohankanagasabai27]

How often would you change the media such as the excellent biohome ultra, ultimate and so on. Thank Richard you are awesome

[@pondguru]

It should last a good 6-10 years at high efficiency in an external filter.

[@paganorcaluva]

Fantastic video mate. I'm setting up a 320 litre tropical community tank in a couple months, so I'm researching canister filters beforehand. This video is super informative & exactly what I was looking for. Now I've found a supplier for the filter media in Australia, so am all set. 😀

[@pondguru]

Awesome stuff and I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching.

[@frank21621]

Do all canister filters work from the bottom up. I have a cascade 1500 on my 90 gal fresh water tank, how would you recommend I set up the trays using your biohome mini ultra, the filter has 5 trays in it and thanks for all your great and informative videos

[@pondguru]

I'm not familiar with that particular filter but it looks like it operates the same so bottom one or two trays should be foams then media above them in remaining trays. If you send me tray dimensions you want to fill I can work out how much you would need, no worries. [e-mail]

[@LongRidgeFarmer]

Thank you very much for all your videos. I find them entertaining a very useful. Now I probably shouldn't comment on this because I don't have aquariums and I really don't know the first thing about them, but this thought just occurred to me and I had to ask. Is it possible that fish are affected emotionally by the underwater noises created by aeration and filters? I wonder if normally aggressive fish would be calmer under quiet conditions. This might make for a good experiment?

[@mannbub]

Really great ideas, at tip 7, the filter foam for mechanical filtration, what hind of foam for mechanical filtration, where to get it and how often would I change it, by the way, I am putting this in my freshwater aquarium sump

[@pondguru]

Link in video description or alternately search 'pond filter foams' on ebay or amazon. The quality varies wildly so make sure you get good quality foams. The white fine pad will be replaced when it gets clogged (time will depend on stock and feeding) but the coarse and medium foams should last a good 18-24 months before they lose their 'bounce' as long as they are squeezed out during filter maintenance.