Fluval Aquaclear xxx Series 

The Fluval tray has provision for three layers. You will probably want to retain the provided foam. You might consider replacing it with GreatWave Medium Foam.

Based on the similarity with Fluval’s media we believe approximately the same amount of Biohome media would be required. Recommended Biohome media for these filters are: Standard, Plus, Mini or Ultimate. The Fluval specified media quantities and required Biohome quantities are shown in the table below: 

xxx Filter Biological Media Requirements
Model	BioMax Size	BioHome Required For 1 Stage	BioHome Required For 2 Stages
20	60 gr	500 gr (minimum order)	500 gr (minimum order)
30	65 gr	500 gr (minimum order)	500 gr (minimum order)
50	125 gr	500 gr (minimum order)	500 gr (minimum order)
70	195 gr	500 gr (minimum order)	500 gr (minimum order)
110	390 gr	500 gr (minimum order)	1 kg

Fluval x03 Series 

All models have 3 trays. Normally the first tray would be used for mechanical filtration (foam) leaving two trays for biological filter media. 

x03 Filter Capacity Based on Using 2/3rds of Published Filtering Area Volume
Media	103 Capacity	203 Capacity	303 Capacity	403 Capacity
Fluval Specified Filter Volume	1.182 lt (72 cu in)	2.216 lt (135 cu in)	3.7 lt (226 cu in)	6.48 lt (395 cu in)
Standard	500 gr	1 kg	2 kg	4 kg
Plus	500 gr	1 kg	2 kg	4 kg
Mini	500 gr	1 kg	2 kg	3 kg
Ultimate	500 gr	1 kg	2 kg	3 kg
BioMotion	1 lt	1.5 lt	2.5 lt	4 lt

Note: The capacity estimates based on Hagen specifications. If you have actual experience with these filters, GreatWave would be greatly appreciative to learn how much media the filters actually hold.

Fluval x04-7 Series 

x06 Filter Capacity Based on Published Biological Volume
Media	104-7 Capacity	204-7 Capacity	304-7 Capacity	404-7 Capacity
Fluval Specified Biological Volume	1.37 lt (84 cu in) 2 Trays	2 lt (122 cu in)           3 Trays	3 lt (183 cu in) 3 Trays	4.2 lt (256 cu in) 4 Trays
Standard	500 gr	1 kg	1.5 kg	2.3 kg
Plus	500 gr	1 kg	1.5 kg	2.3 kg
Mini	500 gr	1 kg	1.5 kg	2.3 kg
Ultimate	500 gr	1 kg	1.5 kg	2.3 kg
SuperBioGravel	500 gr	1 kg	2 kg	3.3 kg

Note: Feedback from Bill Eisenhard indicates that the 206 will only hold 1 kg of Biohome. In May, 2015 we rebuilt two Fluval 406 filters with Ultimate media and measured 2.3 kg of media to fill three trays. All other capacity estimates are based on Hagen specifications. If you have actual experience with these filters, GreatWave would be greatly appreciative to learn how much media the filters actually hold.

A mechanical Prefilter can used so that all trays may be filled with Biohome.  Brett has upgraded a 407 this way which you can see here.

Fluval FX4 Series

  The FX series is more complex than most canisters. Incoming water travels to the bottom and then back to the top through passages around the outside. The water then passes through Foam Filters to passages surrounding the bio media trays where it continues to the top and then flows back down through the bio media to the pump at the bottom and then back up a pipe to the outlet and then back to the tank.

GreatWave recommends replacing the fairly coarse stock foam with sheets of Medium Foam on the outside and sheets of Fine Foam inside. All of the trays can then be filled with Biohome.

View our video of the suggested upgrade

FX4 Filter Capacity
Media	Capacity
Fluval Specified Volume	3.9 lt (238 cu in)
Standard, Plus, Mini, Ultimate, Ultimate Marine	3 kg
BioGravel, SuperBioGravel	4 kg

 

Fluval FX5 & 6 Series  

The FX series is more complex than most canisters. Incoming water travels to the bottom and then back to the top through passages around the outside. The water then passes through Foam Filters to passages surrounding the bio media trays where it continues to the top and then flows back down through the bio media to the pump at the bottom and then back up a pipe to the outlet and then back to the tank.

GreatWave recommends replacing the fairly coarse stock foam with sheets of Medium Foam on the outside and sheets of Fine Foam inside. All of the trays can then be filled with Biohome.

View our video of the suggested upgrade

FX5 & 6 Filter Capacity
Media	Capacity
Fluval Specified Volume	5.9 lt (360 cu in)
Standard, Plus, Mini, Ultimate, Ultimate Marine	5 kg
BioGravel, SuperBioGravel	6 kg

Note: The GreatWave Foam Filter Set is not applicable to this filter. This filter has foam mats surrounding each tray to provide mechanical filtration. They also use a fine foam mat on top of each tray.

A report from a customer, Dave Warner, provided information on the actual amount of Ultimate media required:

“This is the 6 kg of Biohome Ultimate divided into FOUR Fluval FX5 filter baskets. (I will be using two FX5 filters, each holds three media baskets) I used about 5 kg which left room for a 1/2 ” foam filter on top of each basket. I could obviously add a little more Ultimate if I did not use the foam filter. “

Here are the photos Dave sent:  All other capacity estimates are based on Hagen specifications. If you have actual experience with these filters, GreatWave would be greatly appreciative to learn how much media the filters actually hold.

Fluval SPEC Series

The SPEC series is available in 10 liter (2.6 gal) or 19 liter (5 gal) sizes. The filters utilize a fairly large block of foam with two pockets cut out to hold biological or chemical filter media. These pockets are fairly small, so we estimate that 500 grams of Biohome would be more than adequate to fill them. A smaller media such as Plus would probably be the best choice.  Note: The capacity estimates are based on filter illustrations. If you have actual experience with these filters, GreatWave would be greatly appreciative to learn how much media the filters actually hold.

Fluval Ux Series

For the U2, U3 and U4 filters Hagen specifies 170 gr of bio media. The minimum amount of Biohome media you can order is 500 gr or 500 ml of BioMotion. This should be enough for two or three filters.

Note: The capacity estimates based on Hagen specifications. If you have actual experience with these filters, GreatWave would be greatly appreciative to learn how much media the filters actually hold.