New filter media.

W

Waylander

AC Members
Jun 23, 2006
160
0
0
Tasmania, Australia
Hi,
I just bought a new sponge filter insert thing for my filter as the current one has been going for months. It's currently sitting in the tank so that the bacteria will colonise it. Is this the right thing to do? How long until I can safely put it into the filter? Thanks.
 
Hey Man,

I am sure others will reply but they will more than likely ask for some more information. Sponge filter insert thing is a bit vague. Depending on the type of filter you have it may or may not even need changed. Do you have a hang-on-back (HOB) external filter? Under-gravel filter (UGF) or some other type of filtration system.

I have two HOB's and they both have a fiber pouch which holds charcoal and ammo chips. If this is what you are talking about it is probalby time to change it. But one of mine has a more "sponge like" media that fits in front of these bags. That should never need changed, or at least very rarely as far as I know. The bags are supposed to stop and collect the junk from the water, the sponge is supposed to allow the bacteria to live on.

Let us know what type of set up you have and I am sure someone will have a more precise answer.
 
The filter itself is fully internal and submerged, with little suction caps which hold it to the glass. It's basically a canister with a propeller in the top part that sucks water up through the bottom, through the "sponge filter thingy" (It's kind of a cylinder made of sponge.) :) and then spits the water out again near the top. Lol.

The sponge part thing has been getting really dirty lately and I think it's causing my water to become cloudy. So I figured it was time to change it. :). So does anyone know what type of filter this is and what it's called? And if so, how long should I let the new media sit for?

Thanks
 
Have you rinsed the filter? Most sponges do not really need to be changed. Instead you should rinse them in tank water(After you have taken some water out in a water change). This will get rid of most of the debris, but leave the bacteria. Do not rinse in the sink, this could kill off all the bacteria.

Unfortunately just leaving sponge in the tank will not properly colonize it. Some bacteria will live on the sponge, but a large colony will not grow unless you allow water and oxygen to flow over the sponge.

Some people utilize two sponges or two filters. This way if one get really dirt they will still have a colony of bacteria in the tank if they clean out the other filter.
 
Yeah, I have been rinsing regularly like you said jenny. But lately my water has become cloudy. Also, I only have one filter currently, an internal power filter.

I thought maybe it was because I needed a new filter insert, as my current one just seems to be getting dirtier. So right now I have a spare filter sponge floating in my tank. The tank has sort of a slight white/yellow cloudy look to it and I can only just see through the water looking lengthways.

I don't know what's causing it. I got two new plants the other day (blue stricta and java fern) and that's sort of when the problem started. Could it be them that's the problem?

Also the other day I gave the filter medium a particularly good clean so perhaps I've removed too much bacteria? I don't have an ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test yet so I can't see the readings. My fish seem fine at the moment, but I don't want it to get to the stage where they start dying.

Can someone please advise me. What could be causing the clouding and what can I do?
 
I have an internal filter on a 10 gallon. Sometimes when I remove my media to rinse it, I get cloudyness that lasts 30-45 minutes. Have you cleaned the filter itself? Give it a once over, there may be lots of gunk in it.

Whats your maintenance routine like? (gravel vaccuuming, algae wiping, etc)
I wouldnt replace the filter media, it doesnt sound necessary. You didnt remove too much bacteria, if your tank has been running for a couple of months, theres plenty in there!
As far as what to do, do a few more water changes than you usually do, using a gravel vacuum. See if that helps.
 
I always rinse and reuse my filter media.

I haven't bought any filter media in over a year.
 
You really need the test kits. There is a good chance you are in the middle of a cycle or re-cycle. Cloudy water can be due to ammonia build up. Of course there are other causes as well. The more information you have the better you can treat the problem. :read:

PS: For future reference just an small sponge in your current filter, bio balls, or a small sponge filter can serve as your extra bacteria colony.
 
Oh! sorry I didn't write this before, but because you may have an ammonia problem wtaer change, water change, water change!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom