Aquaclear 150 filters... methods of maintenance

[felix11]

I have a 30 gal tank that has been operating fine for about 4 years. Very healthy with only a few deaths from sickness in the odd individual fish. Never had any outbreaks or Algae problems. My tank is heavily planted and has a small co2 unit.

Question is how many sponges do you use, what type of carbon insert or combo, how often do you change them, what are the main bebefits of the different types of insert.

I have been changing the carbon about once a month and the sponges about once every 3 months.... seems to work well but curious on other approaches.

 

[Kasakato]

I dont use carbon, It becomes un active in about 2 weeks, rendering it usless. All I do is load it up with sponges. For the past year I havent changed them. All I do is wash them out in old tank water every month.

 

[felix11]

Is it not important to have some Carbon in the filter process?

 

[asaint]

Sponge I rinse out every 2 weeks until it becomes tattered and then I replace. I use either chemi-pure or Purigen as my chemical media. Good for about 6-8 weeks before it needs to be changed. The bio-bag of bio-media I have on top of the other two I never change.

best of luck,
Asaint

 

[cyberbeer65]

Carbon for the most part is un necessary,the only time you should use it is when you want to remove meds or discoloration from your water eg:like discoloration from driftwood from tannins

 

[beblondie]

I've used the same sponges for over 4 years just wring them out in old tank water

 

[Kasakato]

Carbon is not needed in a healthy aquarium. Just a wast of your $$$.

 

[TKOS]

I agree. Carbon will probably become useless even quicker in some aquariums, in as little time as a few days, more likely a week or so. It will still be a fine place for bacteria to live but so is a sponge. I too have been using my sponges for over 3 years now with just a good cleaning in dechlorinated water every couple of weeks. Nothing else at all. My tanks are heavily planted and I figure the plants are also good at taking up spare nutrients.

 

[OrionGirl]

I have 2 sponges in each tank, and have recently added BioMax as well. This allows me to rinse the heck out of the sponges with no concerns for the bacteria. I swish it around in clean water to remove any solids that make it through the sponges, and then clean the sponges till they run clear. I have carbon on hand, but can't recall the last time I used it for any tank.

 

[Wildiana]

very interesting.

so you guys are saying that if my AC has 3 stages for a sponge, carbon adn biomax, i could put as much as 3 sponges in one filter???

then if the carbon is not all that effective, then i'm thinking of putting 2 sponges and 1 biomax. yea?