My Eclipse integrated hood came with a Marineland carbon activated filter. I would much rather not buy a new one every two weeks. I'm having a little trouble rinsing it off. I swished it around in a pitcher of tank water and alot of stuff came out (mostly carbon). There was some debris still stuck to it after a few tries though. Is there a better way of rinsing it?
Rinsing carbon activated filters
- Thread starter greendeltatke
- Start date
I replaced the cartridge with a sponge cut-to-fit. Easier to rinse, and very efficient for bacterial filtration. The carbon isn't really needed, and after about the first week, isn't doing much anyway. Does the filter include a bio-wheel? If so, adding a sponge for just mechanical filtration will be fine, and you can do it immediately--most of the bacteria are in the bio-wheel.
I agree, eclipse cartridges are not needed and cannot be cleaned. A filter sponge in the try works great. I also put a filter bag (with polyester filter media in it) at the end of the try. It does a great job of catching the small stuff (I could not believe how dirty it got in two weeks). With my system it costs less and the water is actually clearer than with the factory insert.
I rinse my Eclipse filter out whenever the water level in the tray starts to rise. I use the garden hose and blast all that crud out of the blue webbing. As mentioned, the carbon isn't needed and mine has all disolved long ago. I've been using the same filters in 3 Eclipse 2 hoods for over a year and the water quality is great.
I've never used sponges but I'm sure they work well too (possibly better).
I've never used sponges but I'm sure they work well too (possibly better).
That is very good to know. I do have a bio wheel, so maybe I'll look for a sponge. Thank you for the replies.
