Eheim 2260 setup

[Oldsgirl]

Ok, I need to get things up and running. I have two Eheim 2260's that have no filter media in them. They're going to be on a big tank full of messy fish (big catfish, pacus, etc). I haven't even opened them yet, but I'm sure they hold a lot of stuff.
If anyone has any suggestions as to
1) what to put in there
2) how much goes in there, and
3) a good place to buy the said "stuff" so I don't end up spending a ton of money on it, I'd really appreciate it.

:)
thanks!
~Eileen

[Delock]

oppps...hmmm i forgot. you still love me?

Many "experts" on here is going to give you 50 million ways.

But when you open them you would want to place your media as such

Substrate ...large amount

Carbon

Filter floss

[Zulaab]

The eheim 2260 can hold 18L of material. Its a monster.. I am thinking there are several people who can help you with cheap material.

If you can I would look at getting the following material (its expensive, but very good)

Eheim Ehfimech
5L ($38.99)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4334&pcatid=4334

Eheim Ehfifix
5L ($19.99) -- String material to trap debris in it.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4321&pcatid=4321

Eheim Ehfisubstrat
5L ($44.99)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4327

OR

Eheim Ehfisubstrat Pro
5L ($99.99)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+8983&pcatid=8983&r=619

Eheim Ehfisynth
2L - ($8.99) fine filter material

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4318&pcatid=4318&r=619

Layer it like I have listed it ehfimech bottom, with string material second, then Ehfisubstrat (or pro), and ehfisynth on top for fine material trapping before the water is returned to your tank

[geoff_tropheus]

This is how to do it cheap.

5L of Effifx
3 1-gallon bales of Bio-Bale
Top with Bulk cut to fit Blue Bonded pad.

All from Dr.Foster and Smith.

Uncut Blue Bonded Pad - $3.99 (personally I would get the 6pk)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4231&pcatid=4231

Efifix - 5L - $19.99

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+4321&pcatid=4321

1 Gallon Bio-Bale CD-790052 - $7.99 ( you need 3 of these) ~$24.00

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4409

for about $50 plus shipping your good to go.

[geoff_tropheus]

All parts are rinse and re-use except the blue bonded pad which needs changed out as needed. You can rinse and re-use it too, but its stragly and funky after once or twice.

[Darbex]

IMO I would skip on the Eheim media. Its over priced and not necessary. In mine I have in the following from top to bottom. Filter floss, Bio-bale, bag of lava rocks. Total cost is maybe $20 with a lot of extras for when you clean it out.

[geoff_tropheus]

Filter floss plugs on me too quickly and the flow drops off, just my experience with it..

[jeebus]

I shopped around and found 1. a big mesh bag, and 2. five gallons of bio-balls. If you don't have a wet-dry, then sure, put some filter-floss over whatever you put in there.

I say that only because I like to clean/change the floss out more regularly and thus just do it on my wet-dry.

[Oldsgirl]

When I did my internship at Moody Gardens I was amazsed at how "DIY" some of the filters for the displays were. I remember going to my car to grab my cordless drill (yes, a true tomboy has one in her car) and drilling out the bottoms of 5 gallon buckets with bioballs to get the right flow

I usually load my smaller filters with some sort of floss (I have a garbage bag full from the last auction) bags of carbon (learned to use pantyhose from the Moody Garden days) and then bioballs or ceramic cylinders. I'll admit I don't have the best understanding of those filters- but don't they flow from the bottom upwards? Wouldnt' the filter floss go first?

Arghh... I give up. I'll just host the next meeting here and we'll set it up then

[Darbex]

You want the filter floss to be the last thing the water goes through also helps make sure any rouge pieces that can damage the impeller is stopped

[daviesri]

Dan who used to own Aquarium Warehouse had hsi 2260 filled with lava rock only. THen again. It was strictly a bio filter. This is the filter on the big display tank close to the discus tanks by the area that the aquarium supplies are kept.

[myjohnson]

A lot of different media will work.

Some people just like nice stuff.

I say pack that thing with eheim media!

[Darbex]

We aint all ballers like you

[myjohnson]

Bro, I got more debt then most people have equity in their homes.

Just got to know the right people. Both my 2260 are packed with eheim media. I actually have extra just sitting in the garage.

[newb]

I actually have extra just sitting in the garage.

hook a brother up then...