Aqua Clear Filter Q's

[midgetwaiter]

There are really 2 things you should run in the AC filters for best results.

The sponge which you want primarily to catch bits of poop etc and the ceramic rings which provide surface area for good ammonia and nitrite eating bacteria to live on. The sponge will provide the bacteria a place to live as well but it is nice to have the rings to provide that function so you are free to wash the sponge out really well with out the risk of killing all the bacteria. You don't have to use the packaged rings for this either, anything with a lot of surface are will work. You can use a second sponge or my favorite, small pieces of lava rock.

The zeolite products used for ammonia removal are not really required. In my experience they don't really work well anyway.

As others have said, the carbon is not required either. I only use it when I need to remove something from the water like a medication. If you do use it you have to replace it regularly.

I'm not sure how you are supposed to jam all 4 of those in there anyway, it can take 3 max.