hi all, I have a penguin mini, and a 350B. My question is should I change the carbon filter ever week or two like it says to or should I just rinse them in old tank water? I have read in other posts that I sould not be using carbon all the time either, is that true. Thanks for any and all help
filter change or clean
- Thread starter jasperfish
- Start date
Carbon is not needed full time in most tanks. It can be sued all the time, but it must be replaced often to remain productive. After a certain time period, it will have pulled out everything that it can, and ceases to function, though it will be colonized by beneficial bacteria. Is the carbon attached to the other filter media, or is it discrete? If it's possible to remove just the carbon, you can, and then decide if you want to replace it or not. If it is attached to the other filter media (ie, a sponge), then you will just want to rinse the cartridge off and return it to the tank; replacing the entire thing will remove the benefiial bacterai, causing the tank to re-cycle.
the filter is all one piece, the carbon and what looks like a piece of scubby pad,{ which I think is the sponge } all attached to a piece of grated plastic.
So you'll just want to rinse it clean of any solid wastes and return it. Long term, you might want to consider going with sponges--you can cut them to fit, and then have a pair, allowing you to replace one at a time when needed.
I think I will switch to sponge with my 29 gal, It has the penguin 350B which has two media slots. Should I switch one slot to sponge and wait a while so the bacteria can colinize on the new sponge, and then change the other to sponge.
know that I think about it, it has four media slots so I could just add the sponges to the two empty slots and leave the other filters olone for a month or so till the sponges colonize. Does that sound like a good plan of action?
Sure.
Though IMO you should bo fine in removing the cartridges to replace them right now, as long as the biowheels remain undisturbed.
Though IMO you should bo fine in removing the cartridges to replace them right now, as long as the biowheels remain undisturbed.
one more quick question. I just switched from a 20 long to the 29 galllon sould I wait a bit before I do this, I do not want to stess my wet pets any more than they already are?
i have two emperor 400s.
you can get away with rinsing out the filter for a while, but ultimately the gunk just builds up inside the filter and does not function properly. Unfortunately, the large filters are way pricy. I switched to home made filters that can be replaced weekly at small cost. if the mini filters are not too high, i'd rinse it out with high pressure water weekly, and replace every eight or so weeks if you can afford it.
you can get away with rinsing out the filter for a while, but ultimately the gunk just builds up inside the filter and does not function properly. Unfortunately, the large filters are way pricy. I switched to home made filters that can be replaced weekly at small cost. if the mini filters are not too high, i'd rinse it out with high pressure water weekly, and replace every eight or so weeks if you can afford it.