The External Canister delivers an adequate filtration  capacity just with the  filter  media provided. However, it takes some time to experience a sufficient filtration effect when a new tank and new filter are installed at the same time. Filter Media Like Bio Rio or Lava Chips provided with the filtration system is a set of biological filter media which decompose water contaminants by the activities of beneficial  bacteria grown  on its surface. It has only a physical filtration capacity until the surface of biological media is adequately colonized with  the beneficial bacteria which feed on organic matter on the surface of the filter media and grow. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for the bacteria to become very active.

The initial setup period of the aquarium is the time when  the tank water is most contaminated, since adequate amounts of bacteria are not yet  present in  the filter or substrate. It  is therefore necessary to change the tank water very frequently during this period in order to get rid of contaminated water. Meanwhile the Activated Carbon, which is used in combination with biological media like Bio  Rio or Lava Chips,  absorbs  water  contaminants  and helps reduce the frequency of water change. Possessing an outstanding absorption capacity &  high-performance activated  carbon, effectively absorbs ammonium and nitrite by chemical filtration and  helps purify the tank water until the biological filtration  process is adequately  established. Its absorption capacity lasts for about two weeks, and thereafter it will be taken over by biological filtration.