do i need the ceramic rings and carbon bag if i got LR+LS?

[colourmop]

hello:
i just brought a aquapod 12 gal nano cube, i heard from others that i do not need the bio balls if i have LR/LS (i have 20 lb of LR and 2.5 inch LS) but i got 2 bags of ceramic rings and 1 bag of carbon, and a huge sponge behind the opening for the water to enter the filter. im just wondering if i need any of those?
thanks very much

 

[granny]

Many folks will tell you no, but I have found that using them helps your beneficial bacteria multiply more quickly. the concern is that these items contribute to elevated Nitrate levels, but if you are just setting up your tank, you want to encourage that cycle as quicly as possible. You can easily remove the ceramic rings and the sponge later if your nitrates get too high, but this would be afte completion of your intitial break in cycle and water change.
Keep the carbon. This is something you want to use in your tank, just change it monthly.