Canister filter set-up

[HappyPoet]

Hi all,
I posted here a few months back with some stiphodon and loach questions. I'm upgrading my 20 long to a 55 in the coming weeks, and I'll be doing the rivertank manifold with two 300 gph powerheads, with added flow and filtration from a Rena XP2. Stocking will be 10 various Stiphs, 7 Sewellia, 6 Panda Garra, a few rhinogobies, and some blue pearl shrimp. There will be a lot of rock-work and a lot of various algaes growing directly in the tank.

Anyway, my question is this: I've never had a canister filter before. What type of media should I put in it for a rivertank, and in what order?

I'd like it to not hurt the algae, and if Sewellia eggs happen to make their way into it, I'd like the fry to be able to survive in there until I find them (I've read about this happening in a number of places). In my usual HOB's, I never use any chemical filtration at all, not even charcoal. I usually just have my biowheels spinning and a pad for mechanical.

Any input is much appreciated!

[ClownLoachSharky]

well some filter floss at the top, noodles, lava rock, hyrdroton for bio media and i dont think chem is needed but maybe some almond leaves for ph softening or peat.

[glenna]

I have a rena filstar canister on my 55g, and have gotten fry out of the bottom of it several times. I do not use carbon, but do use bioballs and just microfiltration pads. The babes were at the very bottom: I imagine the eggs got sucked up and then hatched in the bottom of the filter.
The fry are growing up in the kuhli tank in the kitchen, and are emerald cories. They are doing fine. I do imagine a that a number of them did not make it, as the inside of the filter is not the best environment. Still, what a joy it was to see those little tiny fish when cleaning out the filter!!

[ClownLoachSharky]

Great rescue Glenna.

[HappyPoet]

Thank you both!

[ClownLoachSharky]

also if you go to the hydroponic shop or ebay you can buy hydroton which is a super cheap and efficient bio filtration.