Filter Media for Nano Tank

[saahilrtrivedi]

I have an IM Nuvo 16. One month old, half of the rock transferred from smaller tank, half of the rock is new.

Currently I'm running the stock media (2 media baskets). Each basket has a mechanical filter sponge, a carbon sponge and a phosphate sponge.
I also have Purigen.

I was looking into other filtration options.
I was considering running filter floss, mechanical sponge and a phosphate sponge in the media basket.
I was also considering using Seachem Carbon Media (instead of carbon sponge) and Seachem Matrix (for more bacterial growth) combined in a filter bag in the additional chamber (next to the purigen)
I could also as Seachem Phosguard to the Carbon/Matrix to replace the phosphate sponge)

I just found out about Chemipure Elite which seems to have phosphate remover, activated carbon and a nitrate/ammonia remover (like Purigen). Seems to me like this is an almost all in one solution.

So my question is:

Which of the following should I use in the tank:

Mechanical filter sponge
Filter floss
Phosphate Sponge
Carbon Sponge
Seachem Carbon Media
Seachem Matrix
Seachem Phosguard
Seachem Purigen
Chemipure Elite

 

[Widdy]

I ran Chemipure Elite when I had a Biocube. It worked well. For an economical route, you can mix your own GAC/GFO into a media bag.

I have 2L of Matrix Pond (same as Matrix, just larger version makes it easier to bag) in the sump now. Can't tell you how effective they are as I'm also running a ARID chaeto reactor.

 

[saahilrtrivedi]

I have about a pound per gallon of live rock. Which seems sufficient in terms of biological filtration. Though I could always add matrix for more filtration.

Is chemipure+purigen+filter floss enough?

Or do I need separate carbon, phosphate sponge etc?

 

[dherrera83]

Here is what i did and found it to work better for me. On the lest chamber i pulled out the filter tray it comes with and just put filter flos+chemipure elite+filter floss. And on the other i just left the stock filter and keep changing the filter floss regularly pr when i see water over flowing from the stock tray.

 

[saahilrtrivedi]

I like that idea its like a Chemipure Elite sandwich =)

I was thinking that if I left the stock filter I'd just buy big filter bags and then cut to size to save money.

What filter pads should I use?
Carbon, Mechanical and Phosphate just like stock?

 

[dherrera83]

Either is fine just make sure you keep atleast on of the stock filters and just change out with either phosphate pads whatever you would like. I would prob go with the phosphate pads. They go for like 8 bucks for a 12x24 sheet. You can then cut to size and it should last you a while.

My chemipure elite section filters much slower but i do see a big dif in my tank. You dont want to do the same on both sides cause it might get cloged and overfill your display tank. This is why the stock filter was designed this way to prevent clog and over flow tank.

Good luck

 

[acolaojr]

I had a RSM 130D and ran chemi pure elite, purigen and the real fine filter floss. Get the filter floss from intank.com theres nothing better then theirs, they have everything you need. It cleans up the water real nice.

 

[saahilrtrivedi]

Currently I am running the filtration as follows:

Those who have seen the Nuvo 16 might have an easier time visualizing this. The tank has dual overflows which go into the main filter compartment which has a three level basket.
Then there is an opening at the bottom of this compartment through which the water flows. The water flows out of this second compartment to the return spot.

In both overflows/first compartments I have the three baskets as follows: Yellow Mechanical Sponge (Stock) and Filter Floss, Black Carbon Sponge (Stock), Green Phosphate Sponge (cut to size).

In the second compartment one one side I have Chemipure Elite with filter floss on top.
On the other side I have Purigen with filter floss on top.

 

[saahilrtrivedi]

Once the stock sponges are used up I will just use filter floss and phosphate pads in the three tier basket.

Another concern is that the amount of filter floss is slowing down the water flow. I may remove some of it.

 

[grandmasterhash]

Yeah, filter floss will slow down the water flow for sure. In the biocube 14 I have I had to remove the top section of wall that separates the first and second chambers so that more water would flow over without impediment. You have to play around with the amount of filter floss you use and use it strategically. To that end, I would avoid using it deep in areas that are hard to reach. Fact is, if it is hard to change you won't change it as often. I would suggest using the floss 1) superficially, 2) strategically, and 3) sparingly. Good luck.

 

[jmevox]

I have been running my nuvo for over a year and i can tell you one thing. The stock baskets are crap. Buy 2 Intank baskets and run filter floss, chemi pure elite, and purigen in each basket and your water will be crystal clear.

I also upgraded the main pump for more flow and added the spinstream nozzles.

 

[dherrera83]

I only use phos pads on one of the overflows with no filter floss. On the other over flow i use chemipure elite and filter floss it like a sandwich... works great for me and i have super clear water.

Scrap the stock trays they suck but use it till those pads they come with waste. Them just upgrade to the intank ones. They are much better but even at that i still only use it on one side of the over flow. The other is strickly just filterfloss and chemipure.

 

[OOtzie]

+1 on filterfloss, chemipure elite and purigen