Do I still add the Start right if adding Easy Balance?

The bio bag is what I have (I think) it fits in the frame perfectly and has the charcoal inside it, sounds like we have the same filter. I bought the 3 pack when I bought the replacement bags. Ok the box just say's filter cartridges, fully assembled, for 10-20, 20-40i,10-20, 20-40, and 30-60 Power filters. I don't want my filter to leak so maybe I should stick to that instead of switching to the foam thing. I just want my fish to be as healthy and comfortable as I can make it for them.
 
Well, that's my opinion. Others' may be different. The Bio-bags fit right to ensure the proper operation of the filter, and can be had rather inexpensively.

If you were really watching your pennies, you might be able to buy some sheets of filter material, remove the plastic frame from inside the Bio-bag, and somehow wrap the frame in the material and reinsert it into the filter. I'd just want to be sure that water is not able to go around the filter cartridge and allow the biofoam to get nasty.

Of course, many people run filters that are little different from having just the Bio-foam in them without the Bio-bag filter cartridge, and they just squeeze out the sponge or foam in aquarium water as discussed. The bacteria should hold rather tightly in the sponge, and shouldn't be easily dislodged by gently squeezing the sponge.
 
www.bigalsonline.com has a master test kit for pretty cheap, aquarium pharmaceuticals (sp?). Also, you really want your nitrites lower than what they are, you might even need to do water changes more than once a day
 
Ok thank you, I will go there and check it out I just changed my water again and tested and the nitrates and nitrites are still very high, I was told the strips are not real acurate so I am hoping this is the case and when I get a better testing kit the results will be better. Guess we will see big als did say they ship within 24 hours so hopefully in the next day or two I will find out, untill then I will keep changing the water.
 
If anyone is looking for alternatives to the Whisper filter cartridges, Big Al's and Drs. Foster and Smith have a house brand (although both are called Bio3 and look the same) cartridge to fit the Whispers. (Drs. Foster and Smith also have them for the Penguins and Emperors). Big Al's has a 24 pack of regular size on sale right now for $10.12, so they're pretty inexpensive. Of course, I haven't used them, so can't vouch for them, but they have a frame that's supposed to fit the slot in the filter, so hopefully they don't let water go around them.
 
A note about the carbon in filter cartirdges. Yes it does go inactive in a very short amount of time, however it still gives biological bacteria a place to grow.
 
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