re-using filters

[eculuke]

This might be a dumb question but i have the biowheel 100 filter on my 20 gallon after pulling out the blue slip in filter i noticed its pretty nasty. Can i rinse this off and reuse it or do i need to buy another one...thanks

 

[Jericho]

If you are not worried about the charchole filtering, which most people do not need all the time, then yes you can rinse and reuse. It is best to rinse in a container of your old tank water. Usually you only need to replace it if it is damaged.

 

[reichebrown]

the only problem IMO is that the carbon is not being replaced. I use whipser filters. you can replace the carbon after dejunking the filter bag at water changes. You could get away with this inbetween filter changes to help flow, but i would not make the filters "last" more than a month

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I assume you have either a penguin or an emperor. You can rinse and reuse the carts a bunch of times- untill they start to get holes. Nany folks, myself included, prefer not to use carbon unless there is a specific reason to- i.e. pull meds, oily surface etc.

The wheels provide most of the bio-filtration media and the carts are for mech flitration and carbon if you want it. You can replace the carts w/o worrying about damaging your bio-bed.

 

[RockabillyChick]

the filter sponges can be reused until they start falling appart. my whisper filter floss bag thingie has been in use for about 9 months. i just replaced it because it was so full of stuff it was starting to impede water flow.

carbon is not necessary unless you are removing tannins or medication from the water.

 

[reichebrown]

ok how do i make the jump from carbon to no carbon?

 

[Danny-O]

Just take it out. No need to be gradual, like a temp change or altering water parameters. There's nothing about the charcoal that can affect the fish dramatically with its sudden removal.

But do leave everything else intact (the other filter components, gravel, decorations, etc.,) for a few days. I say it this way because the charcoal may support some of your nitrifying bacteria, and removing this while doing lots of other major cleaning at the same time may foment a mini-cycle.

 

[cyborob]

Just take it out. No need to be gradual, like a temp change or altering water parameters. There's nothing about the charcoal that can affect the fish dramatically with its sudden removal.

But do leave everything else intact (the other filter components, gravel, decorations, etc.,) for a few days. I say it this way because the charcoal may support some of your nitrifying bacteria, and removing this while doing lots of other major cleaning at the same time may foment a mini-cycle.

If he takes out the blue slip filter, there will not be any filter at all, just the bio wheel.

 

[Jericho]

All you have to do is cut the blue filter at the top and pour out the charcoal. Then you will have a mechanical filter that will last you for months.

 

[cyborob]

All you have to do is cut the blue filter at the top and pour out the charcoal. Then you will have a mechanical filter that will last you for months.

Excellent Jericho, thanks for that tip~!