I don't know a ton about Top Fin filters since I've never used one, but this seemed like a strange set up. It looks to me as if the piece you removed is intended to build up the bacterial colony... it says "bio filter" right on the frame. So I looked around a bit. Check out this video to see how they set up that frame and see if it helps:
.
That should allow you to use both filters. This way you can remove the mechanical section of the filter (white) while leaving in the bio (black) to maintain the bb colony in the filter.
HTH
That should allow you to use both filters. This way you can remove the mechanical section of the filter (white) while leaving in the bio (black) to maintain the bb colony in the filter.
HTH
That I can't help with.... Like I said I haven't used one. It should say in the instructions or on the packaging for replacements.
That's very like old Whisper filters I still use. There is less media volume than is in, say, Aqua Clears.
But they can work if you're careful not to "over rinse" the media in tap water & kill the nitrifying bacteria. Both the black sponge & the white polyester cartridge can be rinsed, preferably not both at the same filter cleaning. The polyester & carbon filter will not last as long as the almost forever sponge. & both will be a place where beneficial bacteria can live (as all tank décor & surfaces will).
If you "over clean" your filter & decor, you may remove too much of the BB to keep enough bacteria for your bioload & the tank will go through a "mini-cycle" often. Your white rock, white substrate & plastic plants look "too clean" to me. Biofilm is a key component of a healthy tank.
Sorry, I didn't reread your entire thread so I may have missed what you're asking.
But they can work if you're careful not to "over rinse" the media in tap water & kill the nitrifying bacteria. Both the black sponge & the white polyester cartridge can be rinsed, preferably not both at the same filter cleaning. The polyester & carbon filter will not last as long as the almost forever sponge. & both will be a place where beneficial bacteria can live (as all tank décor & surfaces will).
If you "over clean" your filter & decor, you may remove too much of the BB to keep enough bacteria for your bioload & the tank will go through a "mini-cycle" often. Your white rock, white substrate & plastic plants look "too clean" to me. Biofilm is a key component of a healthy tank.
Sorry, I didn't reread your entire thread so I may have missed what you're asking.
No makes sense, I actually barely clean my decors, mostly just the gravel. But I even stopped cleaning the gravel for a week now to help the B.B. grow. I just cut the frame of the white filter clips to fit into my black bio filter slot. So let’s see if this helps maintain or grow the B.B.
Yes, actually it makes sense if you read my post more carefully. It doesn't matter if you "make" the media fit in a particular place...it's that there isn't much room for any media in this style filter.
