How to Set Up the UNS New Dual All-In-One Media Tower | Quick Guide

The UNS Dual All-In-One Media Tower replaces the standard sponge block on UNS dual-use all-in-one aquariums, and it works for both freshwater (FW) and saltwater (SW) setups. This is a full breakdown of how to load it for maximum filtration performance.

How It's Organized

Water flows top to bottom through the tower's removable trays. The correct loading order, top to bottom, is: mechanical (sponge/pad), chemical media, then biological media — biological media stays submerged at the bottom for constant contact time so it never dries out. Two UNS biological media blocks ship with the tank itself; the tower kit adds two more, for four total.

Media Recommendations by Tank Type

• Freshwater planted: poly filter pad plus strong biological media, and Purigen if you want extra polish — Purigen pulls organics without stripping fertilizer nutrients from the water
• Freshwater non-planted: Chemipure (carbon plus synthetic media), or Purigen paired with GFO and carbon to actively pull phosphates
• Saltwater / reef: Purigen or Chemipure for organics; be cautious with GFO on a reef tank running corals — don't strip nitrates and phosphates so aggressively that you starve coral nutrient uptake. A rough target ratio is 10:1 nitrate to phosphate.

Installation Tip

Trays are rectangular and directional — the open side faces you, the solid backing faces the rear of the tank, so they only install correctly one way. Lifting the sponge/pad tray slightly lets you slide it out for quick maintenance without pulling the whole tower.

Setting up your UNS all-in-one's filtration? Shop the UNS Dual AIO Media Tower at natureaquariums.com.