Totally confused about "Filter Media"

[ExtraHannah]

Hi all! I'm pretty new here and new to the hobby. I had my 27 hex running for a few years a while back, but really didn't learn a lot, though I somehow managed to keep most of my fish alive. Anyway, I keep reading so much online about different filter media. People talk about sponges and floss and carbon (I did just read the thread about that, seems to be a lot of disagreement) until my head is spinning.

So, if I fill ya'll in on what I'm running, would anyone be willing to give me opinions? I have that 27 hex with a Whisper 40 HOB running in it. I am using one Whisper Bio-Bag Disposable Filter Cartridge with activated carbon and one Whisper BioFoam Kit in there.

Then my 60 G has two filters. A Penguin 350 and a Penguin 200. Those have the Bio-Wheels (2 in the 350 and one in the 200) and then I have Penguin Power Filter Cartridges with activated carbon in each of those.

I do get that you should only change out things when they are totally falling apart, as that is where many of your bacteria reside. Also that they should just be rinsed in old aquarium water when really dirty. Though I don't know if it really matters about the water for me, since I'm on a well - no chlorine, etc. to treat for to start with. However, is this only true of the Bio-Wheels and the Foam or also of the cartridges with the activated carbon? It sounds like there is disagreement there as some think the carbons best use is as a home for more bacteria? In that case I should leave those in there as long as I can too, right?

Is there something I would be better off using? The Penguins have that nice option of room for other media. I don't even know what else I should consider using though or how it would be properly put in the filter, etc.

Thanks to anyone that read that whole book and has any suggestions. :1zhelp:

 

[Jspigs]

I would not clean the bio-wheels at all. What looks like dirt and grime on them is the beneficial bacteria.

The instructions for the bio-wheels say to NEVER clean them (or at least the instructions for mine did).

As for the carbon I replace mine as needed. But I do keep it out when cycling because I want the bacteria to grow on surfaces other than the carbon so that when I replace the carbon my tank does not go through a mini cycle.

I find the carbon useful for removing things such as meds and tannins from the water in addition to providing a place for bacteria to grow.

 

[Linda S]

I agree

 

[excuzzzeme]

I would not clean the bio-wheels at all. What looks like dirt and grime on them is the beneficial bacteria.

The instructions for the bio-wheels say to NEVER clean them (or at least the instructions for mine did).

As for the carbon I replace mine as needed. But I do keep it out when cycling because I want the bacteria to grow on surfaces other than the carbon so that when I replace the carbon my tank does not go through a mini cycle.

I find the carbon useful for removing things such as meds and tannins from the water in addition to providing a place for bacteria to grow.

He is right. Like you, I too am on a well and I have very clean tasting water. As a result I do not use carbon by choice and not for any other reason. It simply does nothing for my water.

Your filters and cartridge media are fine. The only reason we discuss other options is due to multiple tanks and costs to support them. You can rinse your cartridges until they fall apart or you can toss and replace. They do not have to be rinsed in tank water but it is recommended that they are. Again, this is not something I bother with as I use pol-fil (fiber floss) instead of cartridges. I just pack some in and let her rip! Here is an example of what I do.

Continue your way until you become more experienced and then venture out on a test of some of the other ideas floated in this forum!

 

[ExtraHannah]

Thank you so much guys! That's hugely helpful. I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. Great link as well Excuzzze, I'll be bookmarking that one too!

 

[excuzzzeme]

You're welcome. Don't make it harder than it is. There is always someone that can answer your question or point you in the right direction.

 

[ExtraHannah]

You're welcome. Don't make it harder than it is. There is always someone that can answer your question or point you in the right direction.

But see, I'm soooo good at making things harder than they need to be. It's one of my few talents. I over think everything! I will try to just ask if I get confused in the future though.