Originally Posted by
Snaredrum
http:///forum/post/2503249
I had the same problem. Increase you water level a little above Max. I don't even know why they put that max level on the side.
I don't have a skimmer but what I have found is when you add water above the max line the water in the DT will start spilling over the back wall. Obviously this water will bypass any mechanical filters along with any detrius that spills over.
Filter floss by my definition is a blue filter pad (sometimes white on one side and blue on the other) you can buy at most LFS for $6. You cut the large pad into 2"x3" rectangles and place one rectangle on top of the drip tray in the middle chamber. You want it to be in front of the hole where the water is spilling from the right chamber to the middle chamber. By being in front of this "water fall" the filter floss will catch uneaten food, fish poop, and other junk and prevent this junk from collecting in the bio balls in the middle chamber. You should change out this filter every 24 or 48 hours as it can get dirty fast.
Carbon are small pebble size pieces of carbon. Go to your LFS (local fish store) and buy a jar of carbon and a mesh bag. Fill up the bag with about 1/2 cup of carbon and put the bag in one of the chambers. You will hear different opinions on which chamber but I like mine in the middle chamber UNDER the drip tray. Replace the carbon every 2 weeks or more often if you have a problem in the tank. Carbon will absorb unwanted chemicals and also leave your water crystal clear.
There are fancier products like Chemi Elite and purigen if you wish to investigate. I have heard people run these instead of carbon and I have heard people run these in tandem with carbon.
Good luck,
Chris
