My Fluval...It's Alive!

[BobbyC]

Hey Guys,
I changed the media today in my Fluval for the first time. I replaced the carbon packs and the foam pre-filters, I did not replace the ceramic rings.

Copepods were covering all of the different media types and a few worms were present too. What is the best way to minimize the kill when maintaining my filter? I know I have to replace the carbon and at least rinse, if not replace the foam filters but what about the ceramic should I rinse it or just leave it alone. I really hated seeing all of this beneficial life get washed away, I did save some of them by picking them off and putting them back in the tank but most never hit bottom before they were made into dinner.

I have this large female clown that constantly stirs the sand bed and I think she kicks up these pods and worms and that's how they get sucked in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
BobbyC

[acefred]

The foam filter should almost never need replacing, I would only do it if they are falling apart and the carbon should be replaced every couple of weeks if you are going to use it..............As for keeping the life in the filter only rinse the media you want to keep with tank water and then put it back in.

[Max]

You might also consider running this empty. The media in your filter will trap gunk that will possibly cause you some nitrate problems on down the road. If you have enough l.r. it should do the same things that the filter media does. If you are running a reef that's really the best way not as important though if you are fish only.