Hi all,
I like Ceramic/sintered glass rings and Alfagrog as well, the only difference would be that I'd only 2/3 fill the filter with them and I would put a sponge pre-filter on the intake and leave the filter floss out. The advantage of having a pre-filter is that it is really easy to do weekly maintenance, and you can leave the filter media cleaning for a lot longer. The disadvantage is that you have another bit of kit in the tank.
Eheim do a good pre-filter (part 4004320) or you can make one from a foam sheet/block. Details here <
Eheim 2211 weak flow and making noise. help please!? | UK Aquatic Plant Society>, although since I wrote that I've started putting double taps on both the intake and outlet hoses, partially to make cleaning the hoses easier (I make sure each run of piping isn't more than twice as long as the cleaning brush).
I use one of these for cleaning - "13mm Dia. Burette Long Cleaning Brush Glass" from here: <
LABWARE, Glassware items in Laboratory store on eBay!>.
cheers Darrel