Filter media...??

jtruswell

jtruswell

AC Members
Jan 18, 2006
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I did a search on "green x" in the forum and didn't exactly find what I was looking for, so I appeal to you guys to help me out since you've been so good at answering all my other questions! :)

In my aqua clear 30 on the 25 gal tank, I have a sponge, an active carbon bag and a bag of "green x", since the LFS guy told us it was really good for keeping nitrite/nitrate levels under control (which is a huge plus, always!) The filter came with a biomax bag, but he told us the green x would likely be better for our tank, so that's how we set it up.

I was just wondering if anyone had preferences between the biomax and green x and if I am maybe using it wrong (I read you use it only if you have algae problems, but I have a pleco, so that's not really an issue! :D). I also have an undergravel filter with carbon and sponge, but we didn't find it was working very well, hence why we added the new filter.

Any thoughts anybody?

Thanks!

Jade
 
According to the descriptions of green-x, it's something that chemically removes Phopshate, nitrite, and nitrate from the water, which theretically cuts down on algae growth.
Do you/have you ever had any problems with algae before? Do you grow live plants in your aquarium?

Nitrites/Nitrates can be chemically removed, but nitrate levels are a good indicator of other dissolved stuff in your water that builds up in concentration over time, hence water changes. Keeping nitrite/nitrate levels under control is a definite plus, but if you're having problems keeping nitrite/nitrate levels down without a chemical alternative, there could be something else out of whack in your aquarium.

As far as the biomax goes, they're ceramic rings that grow bacteria colonies. Bacteria keeps the nitrogen cycle going and is important in any aquarium. Bacteria will probably be more benficial to you in the long run than a chemical alternative. Bacteria never needs to be replaced, it never goes bad, and if you accidently kill some of it or replace the biomedia, it'll grow back.

The problem with using the green-x would probably be once it loses it's effectiveness, it'll have to be replaced (the stuff says it works for 3 months). If after 3 months it isn't replaced, you won't have enough bacteria in your tank that converts nitrite-nitrate, and you'll have a nitrite spike and bad things will happen.

Green-x, however removes phosphate in addition, which I don't believe bacteria does. Phosphates can sometimes lead to algae, so if you've had algae problems, than you might want to consider the green-x.
 
Thanks so much! You've both helped me so much! I think I'll put the biomax back in and leave the green x for now until the bacteria colony is established (since I have fish in the tank).

Jade
 
you should only replace your biomax 1/2 at a time, so that your old biomax will hold old bacteria and you can grow new bacteria on the new biomax..
 
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