Penguin 300 & HOT Magnum media combinations

[schmidty169]

I have a Penguin 300 and a HOT Magnum filter in a 55 Gal fresh water tank. I try to do water change once a week up to two week max. I usually wash the type C filter in the syphoned water and change it every two months. I have been running carbon in the Magnum.

I have been trying to figure out the best set up. I've read a lot that you don't need a lot of carbon in the system and it doesn't last long so it gets expensive. The Penguin type C filter has the carbon media in it so that will be changed regularly. I was thinking I don't need the carbon in the Magnum, but not sure what other media would be good to run. I was also thinking of using the media bin in the Penguin but again not sure what to use. The water balance has been fine and clarity hasn't been an issue. I tend to get matter in the filters regualry. My pelco loves to kick up gunk which is fine as it sends it into the filters. Thus why I was thinking of running some extra media in the bin to catch the particles being sucked up into the Penguin.

If it matters I have the a Pleco, a Gourami, a dwarf Gourami, 2 Tetra Neons, a Guppie, a snail, and a Striped Barb.

 

[KcMopar]

I have canister filters and just use bio media in them like bio-balls. I use the blue sponge filter around them and just clean it as needed or replace it every so often. No need for carbon really. If your pleco is stirring stuff up you should vacuum a bit better when you water change. Those filters you have are good units!!!!

 

[schmidty169]

Yeah I had the original siphon vacuum I got with my tank kit which was too small it would pull water, but not enough waste. I Have sand so it not like I can stir it around like gravel. I just got a much larger siphon vacuum in hopes it has more flow and suction to grab more of the waste, we will see.

 

[Lotus]

I wouldn't bother with the carbon. You don't generally need it unless you're removing medications from the water.

As long as your filters are still filtering by the end of the week or two weeks (i.e. not so gunked up the water isn't flowing), I'd say you're OK. If the parameters are fine and the water looks clear, then you probably don't need to worry. Yes, plecos make quite a mess, but it sounds like you have enough filtration to handle all the waste in the tank.

If you were to get additional media, I'd suggest another form of mechanical media, but I'm not sure your filters would accommodate that.