Floss or sponge better in aquaclear?

ET1

ET1

AC Members
May 6, 2006
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Canada
I have an Aquaclear filter and I find that debris collected from the water seems to pass through the sponge section very easily. I have added filter floss and it seems to collect alot more poop/food. Does anyone else use floss in their Aquaclear as well and how much do you use/how often do you change it? I'm afraid of upsetting the good bacteria balance by changing the floss but it gets grungy very fast.
 
As you have seen, the sponge is a better bio-filter, while the floss is a better mechanical filter. I also use a sponge/floss combination in my aquaclears. I don't have a set amount that I use, I just pull some out of the bag and put it on top of the sponge until it looks like there's enough. I don't change mine often, I just give it a good rinse every week and it stays clean. How long has the floss been in there? If not long, it may not have much beneficial bacteria on it yet.
 
The floss makes a good final mechanical filter to catch the smallest stuff....filter pads work even better. I would not be concerned about losing much bacteria when you swap out the floss for new...I do it about twice weekly with the tanks I use it on with no ill effects.
 
I think it also depends on how well established your tank is--the longer your tank has been up and running the more bacteria has gotten into other things in the tank--if you add an established filter onto a new tank then replacing the filter will have a greater impact on the cycle then tanks where there is bacteria in the substrate and decorations already.
 
20 running ACs- all use floss and sponge combos- floss changed weekly.
 
I have been using the 110 on my tank for about 8 months. At first I followed the instructions and changed the Aquaclear media when recommened. But lately I used the sponge, floss, half sponge, floss, and bio balls. Everything seems to be well. I take mine out when I do water change once a week and just rinse it all off in the old tank water.
 
Thanks for all your responses! How much floss do you use approximately? 1 inch? 3/4 inch? Should I pack it loosely or tightly?
 
BigAls sells a more rigid style of floss- probably a similar product can be bought cheaper at a fabric center and be called nylon batting. It is easy to cut into any shape you want.
 
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