bio foam?

[Lady G]

Ok I was wondering if I bought some bio foam, where do I put it. I know it goes in the filter but what I mean is do I replace my filter cartridge with the carbon in it with the biofoam or do I replace the "scrubbie" type filter with it, or do I just add it in with both of those still there? FYI my filter is a whisper and it has the carbon cartridge then the scrubbie type filter before the overflow.
Everyone talks about "bio foam" and I found some very reasonabley priced and would like to buy it, I just need to know what to do with it. Also by adding it I wont start a mini-cycle or anything would I?

Thanks in advancne,

Gin

 

[liv2padl]

biofoam is just a marketing hype term for some sort of sponge/foam material which acts as a substrate for bacteria to grow in your filter. it may or may not have more surface area than what you're already using but if your current filter media is functioning satisfactorily (no ammonia and no nitrite in your water), then you don't need this stuff.

 

[rrkss]

My penguin biowheel has 2 media slots so I keep a piece of biofoam in one of the media slots. In the event that I need to quarantine of use my hospital tank, I just put that piece of biofoam into a small air driven box filter giving me an instantly cycled tank. When I am done with the quarantine/hospital tank, I boil the biofoam for 15 minutes and put it back in my main tank to regrow with bacteria.

 

[Lady G]

Well the filter media I have seems to do a fine job, I just have heard so much talk about bio foam I thought maybe it was something I should get.
As far as my ammonia/nitrIte levels, my ammonia does read 0 but my nitrite is at .26 and has been for a while. I am looking into getting a couple nitrIte friendly plants to put in there. But as I've stated in other threads I am overstocked so the higher nitrIte level most likely has something to do with that. For the longest time it was at 0 but I had a "cloudy" water outbreak and when that happened my nitrites went up and that is as low as I've been able to bring them down to so far.
The bio foam I found looks like a cartridge that would slide in just like my carbon cartridge and scrubbie type filter media.
I do not have a hospital tank right now so that wouldn't effect my decidion.

Thanks,
Gin

 

[Roan Art]

Gin,

I do the same as rrkss. I have bio foam in my Penguin's extra slots in case I need to cycle a new tank or am adding fishes to an existing tank or in the exceptional case where I've *had* to use medication and there is a chance my bacterial colony has been jeopardized.

IMHO it doesn't hurt and can really help if you need it for another tank. It's really up to you if you want to do it or not

As for the nitrites, yes, they are a big problem. Adding plants is a good idea and will help with your overcrowded situation.

Here's wishing you a bigger tank, soon!

Roan

 

[Lady G]

Yes maybe I should get it "just because", I am planning a new tank (almost had it twice alittle over half way there now). And that would be something I could add when I get it to help cycle before I add everyone to their new home. Although I am going to be adding all the stuff from my tank now to the new tank when I get it so I'm sure that will help with the whole cycling thing.
BTW do I just add it in the filter or do I replace something with it?

Roan,
Thanks for your wishes!! Maybe Santa will bring it...I've tried real hard to be a good girl!!

 

[anonapersona]

As far as my ammonia/nitrIte levels, my ammonia does read 0 but my nitrite is at .26 and has been for a while. I am looking into getting a couple nitrIte friendly plants to put in there.

Plants don't consume nitrIte. They consume nitrAte.

 

[indiginess]

Plants don't consume nitrIte. They consume nitrAte.

plants will use any fixed nitrogen available to them, given the chance and need.

 

[rrkss]

Actually plants will consume the most easily accessable form of nitrogen they can get. They will first go for any ammonia in the water followed by nitrite and if nitrite is not available, they will as a last resort go for nitrates.

 

[Lady G]

nitrItes/plants

Plants don't consume nitrIte. They consume nitrAte.

Really? I thought I read that they can aid in nitrIte, I know they are not a "cure all" and I will still need regular water changes, but I thought there were some that did help with it?
Guess I need to get back at some research and find out what it was I really read then :thud:

Thanks,
Gin