I've had this tank for 2 years and I haven't changed the filter, always gave it a good rinse in dirty tank water and replaced, but now there is nothing left to rinse! It's safe to say there is no more "filter" left on this cartridge, so I take it I should buy a new one and put whatever little bits of cloth and such that are left off the old one onto the new one in hopes of saving some of the BB? Would this work out okay? Just thinking about changing it makes me nervous, I don't want to deal with a mini cycle..
Replace filter cartridge?
- Thread starter Juice
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I wouldn't worry about using the little bits to save BB, there should be enough in the tank and substrate to not have to worry about anything more than a mini cycle, and thats really nothing, just add the new media and check the water in a few days
I'm glad yo asked this Em. I am about to be in your same position. My inverrt tank filter cartridge has holes all in it and there is BARELY anything left to it. Snails poop a LOT so I have to rinse the cartridge a LOT, and I have been scared to replace the cartridge because I don't want to deal with even a minicycle because of the stress it will put on my fish and inverts.
Thanks Cap. Thats good to know.
Thanks Cap. Thats good to know.
i recently replaced a filter cartridge after a month's use just the label said, then I came here and started reading things. I almost got the thing out of the trash but alas it was already gone. luckily i have duel slots for the cartridge, but lesson learned.
Most newer HOBS have some type of bio bacterial media that is seperate from the main mechanical filtration, such as a bio wheel, or the very coarse white scotch brite type material... Usually you can change the cartridge, without disturbing the bio filtration..
BettaFishMommy
finkids make me happy :-)
i say to heck with the cartridges and shove a chunk of sponge in there! that's what i've done with all my cartridge style filters and it works great. just make sure the sponge doesn't entirely fill the filter chamber and there is a space at the back for water to flow from the impeller area, through the sponge, and up and over the output ('waterfall').
for extra fine particle filtration, wrap the front half of the sponge in polyester batting. when it comes time to rinse the sponges (in old tank water only!), just peel off the batting and replace it with new.
for extra fine particle filtration, wrap the front half of the sponge in polyester batting. when it comes time to rinse the sponges (in old tank water only!), just peel off the batting and replace it with new.
Wow...peeling off batting would be SOOOO much easier than trying to get some of the gunk off the cartridge that is in my HOBs right now.....what a great idea!
Okay, great! Good to know that because honestly there's really nothing left of the old filter to really scavenge, it's pretty much non existent anyways. Thanks Cap
It is whatever filters come with the marineland eclipse systems
I'm glad yo asked this Em. I am about to be in your same position. My inverrt tank filter cartridge has holes all in it and there is BARELY anything left to it. Snails poop a LOT so I have to rinse the cartridge a LOT, and I have been scared to replace the cartridge because I don't want to deal with even a minicycle because of the stress it will put on my fish and inverts.
Thanks Cap. Thats good to know.
Yeah Ash, I'm suprised this cartridge lasted the 2 years from all the rinsing and such I had to do, it's been especially bad recently because of all the snail babies you sent me!! :nilly:
Can't believe the instructions that come with our filters tell us to change the filter cartridge monthly!!:irked: So bad for the tank especially if someone is just trying to get their cycle going or finish it off... with one change of that cartridge most the work is for nothing! I'm so grateful for ac!
:Ziggy! I do have a bio wheel
I knew that spinning device must be good for something =P Now THIS I like:clap:!!What a great idea BFM!
These cartridges cost $10 each! Is there anything on new sponges I would have to worry about? Does it supply the amount of filtration as normal cartridges do? I suppose the only difference is the carbon beads at the bottom which I really don't need anyways. Awesome, I'll probably end up giving this a go
BettaFishMommy
finkids make me happy :-)
i just use the sponge that you can buy for an Aquaclear 110 hob and cut it to fit the filter chamber. usually i'll rinse it under tapwater after cutting to remove any little bits of sponge from my horrible sponge cutting skills, lol. then i like to give it a quick dip in a measuring cup with a few drops of Prime added (but i'm paranoid about chloramine going anywhere near my fish, lol).
the teensy amount of carbon that comes in those cartridges is a joke, IMO.
as for supplying the same amount of filtration as cartridges...... the sponge + polyester batting combo is way better! doesn't clog as quickly, there is oodles more surface area for bacteria to colonize, and even if you do this without the batting (i'm not using batting right now at all), it makes for a nice clear tank, provided you are also doing the necessary water changes and gravel vacs (both of which are vital, no matter what your filtration is).
the teensy amount of carbon that comes in those cartridges is a joke, IMO.
as for supplying the same amount of filtration as cartridges...... the sponge + polyester batting combo is way better! doesn't clog as quickly, there is oodles more surface area for bacteria to colonize, and even if you do this without the batting (i'm not using batting right now at all), it makes for a nice clear tank, provided you are also doing the necessary water changes and gravel vacs (both of which are vital, no matter what your filtration is).
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