Pimp My Filter #11 - Fluval 206 Canister Filter (also covers 106, 306 and 406) 

Fluval 206 Filter: geni.us/qQsF90 Foams and Biohome Ultimate: www.filterpro.co.uk (FilterPro site has links to suppliers in other countries) The Fluval 206 is a good canister filter which is well designed, has excellent mechanical filtration and decent provision for biological filtration. However, since it 'only' holds around 1kg of biohome ultimate it is really suited to normally stocked tanks of up to 100 litres (26 US gallons) or heavily stocked tanks of up to 50 litres (13 US gallons) if you want to achieve a full cycle. A full cycle is completed by bacteria - the aerobic part of biological filtration which processes ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate followed by an anaerobic part which processes nitrate into soluble nitrogen which bubbles off to the atmosphere. Therefore it requires a suitable amount of excellent quality filter media to be able to provide the environment for both aerobic AND anaerobic bacteria - that is what Biohome ultimate does perfectly but even with such good media there are limitations and we recommend the following amounts for different stocking scenarios: (1 US Gallon = 3.8 litres) (1kg = 2.2 lbs) Average community tropical aquarium = 1kg per 100 litres Average coldwater aquarium = 1kg - 1.5kg per 100 litres Predator aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Large cichlid aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Malawi / Tanganyikan aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Marine aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Average mixed fish pond = 1kg per 200 litres Average koi pond = 1kg per 150 litres You may be disagreeing with the above figures but remember that they are for a FULL CYCLE not half a job - achieving 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite is quite easy since aerobic bacteria grows freely on any surface but the anaerobic bacteria responsible for COMPLETING the cycle needs more a specialized habitat. Size a filter properly, set it up sensibly and you will have perfect water - it's that simple....and your filter won't be the dreaded 'Nitrate factory'.....you'll spend less money on treatments too......basically the filter is the foundation of a successful aquarium. This series of videos is all about trying to squeeze more efficiency out of internal and external aquarium filters which generally have a limited filtering capacity - If you have a filter you'd like me to feature in a video then please contact me on: sales@filterpro.co.uk 07772848730 (Richard) Anyone who sends a filter (UK only at present) will have it upgraded and returned to them for free and the only cost you will pay is how much it costs to ship it to me - I'm helping to boost your filter and the resulting videos will hopefully be useful to viewers all over the world so it's a win/win. The following videos will be useful to anyone interested in learning more about filtration, bacteria and making the conditions for your fish as good as possible: Sizing a canister properly and filter set up: goo.gl/om19un Looking INSIDE different filter media: goo.gl/hZWS6c Bacteria and filter media: goo.gl/123gAF How to clean an aquarium: goo.gl/bPMhvh Aquarium tips / filtration playlist: goo.gl/pXgqVj Check out my channel for hundreds of videos on a wide range of my hobbies - many of the videos have educational content so if you have enjoyed any give them the thumbs up and share. This channel is purely a hobby for me so I will never ask viewers to donate money for any of my projects or charge anyone for information - information should be shared freely and I certainly don't consider myself an 'expert' in anything I pursue as a hobby so please do your own research, never accept anything as 'fact', reject anyone claiming to be some sort of authority or 'expert' and make your own minds up about anything you wish to study. We all are on a long path of learning......... RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ON AMAZON: goo.gl/jMaBWy INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/pondguru_outdoors/ FILMING EQUIPMENT: Panasonic HC-VX870 HD camcorder geni.us/3UwE +Rode stereo microphone: geni.us/4OL +Rode 'deadcat' mic cover: geni.us/1pmn JVC Everio quad proof HD camcorder: geni.us/e09e +Rode 'deadcat' mic cover (opened up and held between tripod and camera base) geni.us/dee24 Zomei Z666 tripod: geni.us/1a1af3 Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI mini tripod: geni.us/87f7 If you've enjoyed this video please check out the playlists on my channel for hundreds more - on a variety of subjects. Feel free to share or link any of my videos on facebook, twitter, forums etc. for the benefit of anyone you think may also enjoy watching. See you next time. Pondguru

I came across your channel by mistake and it was a mistake that I am glad to have happened. My name is Doug and I’m on the other side of the pond. I consider myself an intelligent person and when I listened to what you said about the “ full nitrogen cycle” it seemed like all the other people who talked about doing water changes to get rid of nitrates were lacking something. I was in that camp. It also made me realize how my filter configuration was totally haphazard and you set me straight. Now I watch you pimp filters and pre guess how your going to do it before you do it. You gave me clarity. Thanks dude your the best. Doug.

I had the pleasure of chatting to Richard this morning regarding this filter and introducing the biohome into it. What an absolute gent and legend. Got all the info I needed and now feel more confident of getting things sorted. One of the discussions below referred to a pre filter and during our conversation Richard mentioned using a pre filter as a post filter and just filling with media. Awesome idea and ideal for what I need. Thanks again for all your help. Rick

I did your set up using your recommended materials on a 406, 3 years ago and my fish are largely still alive and healthy. Thank you!

I had no idea you pimp these filters FOC, its great to see kind people like you and you've definitely helped me pimp my filter at home with using better products rather than going down the replacement cartridges route. Thanks :)

I use this on a 20 Gallon Long planted tank. I did something like you got here but used the normal Fluval foam. 1st tray I got the black Fluval bio foam with a polishing pad ontop. 2nd tray I have Fluval pre-filter media and the 3rd has Fluval Bio-Rings. I only went with fluval because its what is available in my area and was the cheapest option as well. With a few minor tweaks this filter is a tank. My inlet and outlet was changed to Lili pipes. To those who are wondering. If you want to change your tubing on the 206 you want 16/22 Hose. You can buy generic clear tubing at your hardware store or buy the green tubing from Ehiem.

The 206 is almost exactly same set up internally as far as baskets and foam placements as the older previous versions being the 204, 205. As are the 304, 305, and 404, 405, with the only difference being size of cannisters, pump and amount of trays. And like you said with the fluval aim higher then you think you need filtration wise and especially more then fluval recommends. Thanks for all the info and help my friend.

The new 07 series come with the dimpled foams. They obliviously saw your videos.

Thanks for this video. Just prove that I set up mine 206 exactly the same as you. And I have it set up on fluval 125 tank and I now have hardy any nitrate and nitrates. I have your bio home ultime 1kg. Well done

YOUR A GREAT GUY RICHARD.......VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE...........

You see where the clips go on, those two pieces each side that stick out there's a little hole at the inside top of them that have a tendency to leak, mine went spectacularly, had about half my tank on the floor when i got home from work, and it continued to leak from there until I could afford another filter, ocean free hydra 1000 (tried fixing it but to no avail and my dad now has the same problem with his 306 and there's plenty of vids with other leaks on YT), just to balance things out, they are a good filter and they are cheep, easy to maintain and the flow is great.

This was the video I was waiting for. Many thanks Richard.

Done this to my 406 about 6 months ago but i added a all pond solution 2l pre-filter for loads of mechanical Filtration before hitting the biohome... great series of videos 😎

I done this exact same set up for my fluval 306 filters and it seem to be working really well is a very good set up .

Thanks Richard, I did my 406 this way 1st tray medium/ fine filter. 3 trays of filter media regular sizes. Side tray has stock coarse filter.

Great pimpin! I used this filter on my old tank and I think its great BUT its kinda a pain in the butt to get all the trapped air out of it after every maintenance.. U pretty much have to shake it around, let it sit, shake it around, let it sit, tilt it back and forth etc etc.. can take hours before u get every little bit of air out :/ Usually just a little bit of shaking is enugh to make it go silent (no air around the impeller part) but to get all trapped air out u need to work a bit. other then that its a really great filter, very silent once all air is out, I had it in my bedroom no problems

I must say these videos are more useful then any reviews out there (and even advice from some of the "pet store" professionals. Think most of em think the cycle ends with nitrate building up in your tank wich can only be fixed with water changes and having a jungle of fast growing plants. But anyway this video made the choice for this filter somewhat easier for my new (just 70 liter tank) setup.

I was just about to ask for a Fluval 306 ride... and there you are! Thank you.

Thank you for this series. It helped me correctly set up - or "pimp" - my Aqua One Aquis 700 I picked up with a cheap tank package deal. Stuffed it full of sponge, Poly Filter and Marine Pure with bits of Matrix to fill in the gaps. Many thanks :)

your filter pimping is easy to understand and straight to the point not pulling one brand of filter doon just the best way to improve on what filters ppl have and especially ppl on a budget not everyone has the pennys to buy a big expensive filters.. thanks. carry on pimping

I have found that the rubber gasket that goes on the head of the filter ia useless after you open the filter for maintenance once or twice. It results in leaking. Instead of buying a replacement from fluval I went to a gasket shop and got a slightly thicker gasket which doesn't leak and gives a better seal.

Just purchased this filter & your 1kg filter upgrade kit after watching your video 👍🏻

with mine i had a coarse prefilter sponge on the intake (i have cherry shrimp) so i then used the cartridge to hold medium and fine foams which freed up an extra tray for bio media.

Love your videos. I has highly influenced my aquarium setup. Thank you so much for the clear information.

Pimped my fluval 306 and JBL e901 on my 180 litre tank the same as your clips so should be great now. Thanks for the tips

Brilliant video. Thank you. I use the 306 and was excited to watch from start to finish. 😉

good day to you rich !! another awesome pimp my filter video !!

I think Fluval has been watching this. Have you seen the new ones?

Great video, very helpful information. Just ordered Foams and Biohome Ultimate media. Great upgrade to my African Cichilds 40 gallon tank and Fluval 206...Thank You

outstanding product i have a fluval 306 and is set up same as shown outstanding results many thanks pondguru

Always a smart move to have a spare aqua stop valve for the fluval 206.

I have a 306 and I'm thinking about posting a video about it because there's not that much out there and I had to learn everything myself

love his voice

Thank you so much for doing this filter I buy all your sponge Media and your biohome ultimate off eBay .no matter what I did with this filter every week I opened it up it would be rotten could never work the best solution out thank you for the demonstration. a big fan of your channel for a very long time thank you for your helping from Liverpool

Another great, well explain video. Started following your channel because Im looking to be building a koi pond in garden and find it very informative. This video is very helpful has my tank has a 306 filter. I currently have a set up of fluval sponges in side rack, black fluval sponge and fine sponge pad in bottom tray, fluval ceramic tubes fill the middle tray and bio max topped with carbon bags (didn't know they were only good for 8 weeks and I've been keeping fish for 20+ years lol, so will be taking that out shortly). Im now going to be changing over to the biohome ultimate.

Thank you very much for taking the time and effort into making your videos. I really appreciate your insight, and look to these videos while researching filters for my future tank. Keep up the great work! P.S. Definitely stocking biohome ultimate and a 3 tier foam system regardless of the filter I end up with. Thanks for the tip!

Another good pimp my filter video Richard. All the best Aengus

Another well presented informative blog . ☺ great job Richard

I had nothing but trouble with my 206. I ended up getting an eheim. Every time i did a maintenance it would leak. I was forever buying o rings. I felt the lid didnt shit tight enough.

Brilliant videos copied all your filter pimps aqua one 1250 x2 fluval 406 x2 fx6 x1 my aquarium has never looked so clear and I’ve got big cichlids oscars etc I did use seachem products but the way you set them up really helped me out never even realised there was a gap at bottom of aqua one brilliant videos thanks bud

You took a stock 206 and PIMPED it out!!! Subbed!!

Great Video.Thanks for doing the 06 Fluvals.I have 5 of these cannisters running and think they are a great filter.The black foam in the bottom tray is Fluval Bio Foam.I run that and then the rest of the trays have Fluval Bio Max and Lava rock.I would like to get BioHome media in them also.I really like Your idea of cutting pond foam to put in the filter tray.

The bottom tray I cut that black foam in half and filled it up with ehiem round small ceramic media then the top tray I use a medium pad and fill more media

Good video Richard...

The foam is available in the United States but what people don't know is they go to the wrong place to buy it. It's not at the fish store but it is at any craft store and most major box store that have a sewing section. Asian Fish stores also carry them sometimes but I have mostly seen only flat pads.

I feel like these videos are why the 07 series uses reticulated foam in the pre filter cartridge

Brilliant demo, only problem is, no mention of how silent or noisy this filter is. Most people I am sure like myself, will have the tank either in the room with them (bedsit) or pretty close by. So not matter how fancy all the bells and whistles are, this pump would be useless to me if it made an unacceptable noise and destroyed the ambience of my apartment.

Fantastic Presentation!

I replaced the smooth foam which came with my fluval 107 with "bumpy" medium and course foam and it works well on an 80L tank.

Outstanding as always

I got all information I need from this video..thank you very much

Love this series of videos, some great tips about improving filters :)

I had two 206’s setup almost exactly like this on a 100 ltr aquarium. I found packing to much media in caused a, I won’t say leak, but a seep of water. So much so I had to place both 206’s in trays. Eventually after days the seep would stop but I always hesitated to clean them again as I knew the problem would reoccur regardless of replacing the O ring’s. That’s why when I updated my aquarium to a 250 ltr I went with the FX6.

Great video, cheaper to cut your own foam than buying the original foams.

Awesome video. I have been looking forward for this.

Awesome series. So informative

Just bought one...now to pimp it out!!

YESSSSS I’ve been awaiting this.. I’ve added the 1 kg bio gravel I bought from you and had room for more bio home mini ...but I’ve not changed the bottom foam, the fluval foam isn’t half bad. The white foam sheets from you are far better then fluvals to be honest. In the red section that’s where I crammed in my u3 sponges... but I like your idea.. The beige foams area really course... I think the blue and black will def catch more muck.. I’ve only had my foams for 6 months and they are looking a bit thin.. def won’t be buying fluval replacements I’ve also out sponges on the intake and output... really keeps the sponges clean

Thanks for pimping the fluval

Great pimp my filter, was thinking of getting one, now i know i would need bigger than i was looking at

Paused at 4.50. my guess is (and what I'd do) put the fine filter pad on top of the black sponge and replace the carbon with good bio media. Before I watch the rest I can't really think of what else you can do really.

Love this series 👍

I have a 306 and this makes me want to pimp my filter I'll certainly be changing up how it's layered thanks :)

Loving the series. Keep it up. Time to pimp both of my 406s.

Thank you !.

Spent the video trying to pin the accent turns out your 30miles away :)

You may want to check some US sound production supply companies as I know those foams are used in recording studios all over the world. Thats if you haven't found them yet!

Amazon.com has set of three here in the USA. That’s where I bought mine.

Since you added coarse and medium outside, the bottom tray could contain one fine foam only with rest of it filled with bio media.

Pondy another great video

Fluval obviously watched this video!! 👌🏽

awesome upgrade man & mind your fingers with that gilloteen lol!!

Just purchased 10kgs of biohome ultimate...you're costing me a fortune mate!!! lol

but...…….. if your having a medium foam in the slop side then there's no point in putting a coarse foam in the bottom tray section is there? apart from that, great video

Could you just have medium pad and fine pad in bottom and put a mesh bag of media on top of that just to get more media in it since the pro will get has course and medium foam

Well I had mine setup like this already because I have been following you with other filter so mine have been running like this for 3 months

The foams that you're using I believe they sell them here in the US at UPS Store the shipping store AKA The Brown delivery hope that helps cuz they do packaging for people in I've seen them use it in their shipping stuff

Nice job on the media but what you think if instead of the foam sleeves and holder, a sheet of plexiglass 3" shorter in length and the same width as the foam cartridge holder, glued with silicone against the divider sleeves inside the filter, then fill that side with foam filter, to give a more type of full filtration area before the water goes into the media section of the canister, I want to know your advise on this before I start on this project!

Oh gr8 been waiting for this one 😀

brillliant

Thank you for very much :-)

use a pre filter, then you have 3 trays for biohome ultimate, not that im trying to sell anyone on biohome but if you want to do a proper job, and dont forget to put a fine fleece in the top of your pre filter and change that every week or so. good luck everyone

Thank you for your tips.

I recently received a Fluval 406. It came with the top 2 trays filled with carbon. I'm replacing at least one of them with Biohome ultimate. Seems like overkill on the carbon. Not sure what Fluval was thinking.

Hey, Pondguru I love your videos and especially the pimp my filter series. I am waiting very impatiently lol for the giant pond filter update and I am wondering if there is anyway that you can do the pimp my filter to the Zoo Med macro 75 please :)

very good video, i have just inherited a 206 and it doesn't have the top media tray and the white cover between the tray and the pump, is this something that is available from somewhere. I am in Canada.

Casually trying to get a new filter for my 65l tank, using a Fluval U2 and it's just meh and takes up too much room. Now getting my head around canisters

Hi, I really enjoy how thorough your videos are ! But I noticed you haven’t mention if you are allowing for just fresh water or salt water in your videos. Just out of interest, I have a fluval 306 for my marine tank and thanks to your previous videos I now have the 3 layers of foam in the bottom tray in one half and fine floss wrapped around Rowaphos in the other half, then in the middle tray I have bio pearls in both halves and top tray active carbon in both halves, my phosphate is now at zero as is my nitrates are also at zero, but I have switched to natural sea water, which is so much better than a chemical sea water mix. I look forward to your next video with interest.👍

OK, I'm a bit confused (actually quite a bit confused). The water entering this filter first goes through the foam filter pads, either through the two front pads or the two rear pads before they both emerge at the bottom of the canister. That being the case what is the point in using two different grades of foam? You have a coarse pad on one side and a medium pad on the other and this is the first stage taking water straight from the tank. Unless I'm missing something it seems to me that the medium pad will just block well before the coarse side and all the water will then flow through the coarse foam rendering the medium foam redundant. The water now has to pass up through the three media trays and you have put a coarse foam pad in the bottom of the lowest tray with medium and fine pads on top. The water has already passed through either a coarse of medium foam so what is achieved by then passing it through a second coarse foam, it's hard to see what this coarse pad will achieve since half of the water has already been through a medium pad. Would it not make more sense to have all four of the initial foam pads made from coarse foam and then fill the lower of the media chambers with medium and then fine foam on top of that?

Hello pondguru....I really like your video , I learn a lot from you video. But there are still one thing i can't understand About the mechanical filter Why use 3 different sponge ,why not just use 3 white fine sponge..?

Amazing video, keep up the great work. Definitely stealing this idea for my 20 gallon long tank!

Anyone else notice how the two main youtube pond experts (other one being ponddigger) kinda look the same? I guess you gotta rock the sexy bald head and beard combo to being a true pond pro.

I have a question what if you have a freshwater tank that has three times the volume of coarse Rock and it and the size of the tank would that be significant enough surface area 2 healthy anaerobic bacteria grow to completely cycle the tank

is the bio media that comes with the fluval any good? If not what do you recommend? I'm liking your channel and you explain everything so well~!

Regarding foam. I'm from Denmark and I'm having big trouble finding that type of foam anywhere. Are there any alternatives I can use, say like from a hardware store. Or is it a specific type of foam made specifically for aquariums?

Any way to set this up for primarily water polishing a aquarium???

just had a flashback to fingermouse

Another good one! Thanks for passing along the good information 👍

what is this full cycle you speak of, I had one 406 on a 55 gallon tank, so I watched your videos and got a 2nd 406 both filled with biohome altimate. no reduction of nitrates at all, so I found a used 306, very cheap so I bought it and filled it with biohome ultimate. hooked it up to my tank, and did a water change. waited 1 week and with all three filters on my 55, my nitrates were just the same . So I waited 3 monthes to let the good bacteria build up in the new media and my nitrates were the same. I now have 3 filters on a 55 with almost 19 pounds of biohome media and my nitrates are the same.

My fluval 206 foam slot does not slide in as easy as yours does lol