bio-max or ammonia rid

Question
I have the Hagen AquaClear 300 filter system from 10-15 years ago. I am starting up my 45 gallon freshwater aquarium again and I have 2 questions. First, is the AquaClear 300 the same as the AquaClear 70 as far as the foam, Charbon, and ammonia rid and bio-max you put in the sytem? Second, what is the difference between the ammonia rid and the bio-max? which is better? Should I use 1 or the other or rotate both? Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Dave,

The AquaClear 70 is the same as the AquaClear 300. Maybe the plastic parts look slightly different, but all the workings are the same - the media and the impeller, etc. Essentially, there is no difference.

Ammonia rid is probably Zeolite, which is not necessary in a tank that is established and healthy, since there is no need for ammonia removing substances in a properly set up and maintained freshwater aquarium. Your beneficial bacteria do it for you, continuously, without need for replacement! So while the ammonia rid might be fine in an emergency, or in a hospital tank, it's not usually necessary.

I have AquaClear filters myself, and all my other hang-on back filters use AquaClear media that fits them. I don't use carbon at all on my tanks. Basically, carbon removes yellowing and any odors - a fish tank with weekly water changes should have nice clear water that is odor free, in any case! So while many people use carbon, I opt not to. To my way of thinking, carbon can't do anything that water changes can't do - and since the space for filter media is so limited, I would rather dedicate it to mechanical and biological filtration.

The way I would layer your media is this:
- foam sponge on the bottom
- another foam sponge on top of that
- a bag of Biomax on the top

If you like, you can put a layer of "filter floss" in between the second sponge and the bag of Biomax, this will trap fine particles. It isn't a must, and I find that two sponges trap *plenty* of debris - and the bag of Biomax plays host to the beneficial bacteria that keeps a fish tank healthy! The sponges, to some degree, also provide biological filtration, but Biomax is engineered to have plenty of surface area for the beneficial bacteria to colonize.

With this kind of media arrangement, there is never any need to replace anything - just the filter floss, if you decide to use it. Give the sponges and the Biomax bag a rinse in dechlorinated water, or water from the aquarium - and you're all set! If you are using a single AquaClear filter as your form of filtration, alternate when you clean the media so that one of the sponges stays "dirty" - that way you won't disturb too much of your beneficial bacteria at once.

If you prefer to use carbon instead of two sponges, I recommend you get a bag of Chemi-Pure, since it lasts longer than plain carbon. There is a product called Purigen, by Seachem, which looks like white beads that come in a little bag. This is also an alternative to carbon, which in my opinion is both superior and longer lasting. It fades to brown when it is expended, so you know when to replace it.

I hope that helps, take care!
Nicole