Change Filter Media

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pisces22

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Aug 1, 2004
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Hey all,

I have an Aqua Clear 150 that has been running since July. Normally I wouldnt touch the filter, but the media must be "saturated" because hair algae is growing and my nitrates are a little higher then usual. I was wondering which "media" held more beneficial bacteria the sponge or the carbon insert? Which one should i switch? I already rinsed them both but it hasnt done anything-I have an AC sponge on the filter intake tube to prevent babies from being sucked up so I wouldnt completely destroy bacteria colony.

Thanks
 
Toss your carbon and replace it with another sponge. The carbon only has a life span of a few days so really all its been doing is providing another surface for bacteria to grow on, some thing for which the sponge is infinitely better at. Carbon is good to have if you have to remove any meds from the tank but thats about it. Your lfs will try to convince you otherwise only because the markup on carbon is huge.
 
Your filter media isn't going to reduce nitrates in your tank so I doubt that's the cause. I've been using the same filter media in my tanks for a year and don't have problems.

The sponge is there to remove debris and provide a home for bacteria. Rinsing the gunk out of it every water change should be plenty to keep it going.

The carbon is useless. Its only purpose is to remove chemicals (ie medicines) from the water and it is only useful for about 30 days or less. After that it just takes up space.

Remove the carbon, replace it with another filter spong or floss to double your mechanical filtration if you like. Water changes will bring your nitrates down.
 
Dont use carbon in your filter unless you are removing a med. or something strage in your water. It is only good for a week or so. After this time it will start to let go all of the toxic junk it has collected. This is really bad for your tank.

You almost never have to change the sponge in your filter. Once it gets "full" just shake it off in old tank water. I do this once a month on mu HOB and canister filters to keep the water flowing. If you HAVE to change the sponge I always only change one at a time. This was I can keep more good bacteria.
 
When you say to add another sponge, do you just mean to basically stick a piece of sponge in the HOB? Or do you mean something else?

What kind of sponge do you use? Where do you get it?

I've got Hydro sponges in my tanks and replace the carbon filters in my HOB units roughly once a month as I basically thought their main purpose was to catch loose debris and keep the tank "pretty." Not a good way to be doing this?
 
You'll want to dig a little deeper into why nitrates are building. The bio-filter can affect that, but the filter being old is a benefit there. Oh, I am with the others as well, ditch the carbon. Witch tank is this in which the nitrate is rising? Also, what are the other water parameters? Were ammonia and nitrite zero? And, what exactly was your nitrate level?
 
Sorry I didn't mean to hijack in here so if I should make my own post just let me know.

I'm just asking in general... I've got 2 30g and 1 20g, all with HOB filters and Hydro Sponges with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and nitrates < 10
 
TrickyD119 said:
Sorry I didn't mean to hijack in here so if I should make my own post just let me know.

I'm just asking in general... I've got 2 30g and 1 20g, all with HOB filters and Hydro Sponges with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and nitrates < 10
Click to expand...
What are you asking?
 
Harlock said:
What are you asking?
Click to expand...
I asked the following in the post right above your 2nd to last post.

TrickyD119 said:
When you say to add another sponge (in place of the carbon), do you just mean to basically stick a piece of sponge in the HOB? Or do you mean something else?

What kind of sponge do you use? Where do you get it?

I've got Hydro sponges in my tanks and replace the carbon filters in my HOB units roughly once a month as I basically thought their main purpose was to catch loose debris and keep the tank "pretty." Not a good way to be doing this?
Click to expand...
 
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