Cannister filter help

I have a c530 Marineland canister filter and have been using it for about 6 months, I was thinking of checking it out as to see how dirty it is and replace the carbon and the polishing filter media this week. Any suggestions on what to use to improve the filter? I have seen on you tube several additional items. Anyone out there have and ideas? Thanks.

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Comment by Peter on June 16, 2013 at 11:30am: If ur tanks planted dont put carbon use sponges and lots of biomedi

Comment by DePreston on June 16, 2013 at 1:21pm: What is wrong with using carbon in a planted tank? I have been doing it for many years.

Comment by Peter on June 16, 2013 at 1:49pm: Carbon takes out some nutrients from the water column/ renders them useless. So ur basically taking food away from ur plants by using carbon. Yes u can use it carbon usually has a life span of 2weeks so if its in there for more than 2 week at that point its doin little to help

Comment by Roger on June 16, 2013 at 5:40pm: I have never used any Marineland canister filters, but if it has media baskets like most then I would make the bottom basket mechanical, second biological, third chemical or another load of biological depending on setup. I never follow the directions that come with the filter. Most of the time th

Comment by BradnJess on June 19, 2013 at 8:17pm: I have no experience with that canister but I, like Roger, do not follow filter instructions. I would suggest you use the sponges, and get lots of highly porous ceramic or "bio-beads". I would also avoid the use of activated carbon. I have had success with sponges and beads. Its all about providing space to house bacteria, then bring the o2 and the biological wastes to the bacteria colonies (filter media - sponges-beads-etc. All the other stuff fancy zeo-carb and stuff may do other things like fight ammonia and such, but their primary function is simply to house bacteria.

Comment by Zachary P on June 30, 2013 at 2:03pm: dr fosters and smith is where I purchase my filter media for my FLUVAL. I dont use the filter pads sold by fluval as they are pricey. Fosters has a bunch of different types of media for the different needs.

I go with a 2 inch beige filter pad which i cut for the initial box then standard ammon reducing carbon mix (marine land brand) which I keep in media bags. Then porus ceramic rings for the good bacteria. I also use some poly filter media which reminds me of pillow stuffing. It works great. Just have to rinse the non biological media every month and replace the carbon. Works great in my brackish tank.