Aquaclear HOB media change

[peppermint]

Hi!

To the aquaclear HOBs users out there: how often do you change the carbon and ammonia-retainer media?

 

[SnailPowered]

I was told to change my white things when they started to fall apart and the carbon I changed about every three months I think. From what I understand that carbon actually only does anything for a very short amount of time.

 

[Crepe]

Yep, carbon lasts a week before it goes kaput. I use it when i start tanks to get rid of cloudy water fast and to take out medicine or other contaminants. You really shouldn't be using ammonia absorber...it tends to up your nitrates in a pinch. Yout tank should be naturally ammonia free.

 

[corrado33]

I agree. I change my carbon monthly (although it's useful life cycle is much less than that). I don't change my sponge that often. I'll just wash it with tank water for about 3 months then I'll change it. I haven't changed my "white things" ever. Don't ever change more than one thing at a time. Aka, I change my carbon in the middle of the month, and when I do change my sponge, I'll change it at the beginning of the month.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I dont ever change my media... ive got a sponge on the bottom, ceramic rings in the middle, and a sponge on top. I *think* i have a container of carbon somewhere in case i were to ever break down and use meds in my tank, but i've never used it before

 

[mgamer20o0]

in a established tank you really dont need the ammonia-retainer media. i am not sure how fast that is used up so i would check the box. carbon is only active for 1-2 weeks after that it just acts as a bio media.

as for my ac hobs i just run sponges and just clean them never change them.

 

[BigJim]

I only run the sponge and the biomedia regularly. I use carbon only when I'm trying to clear up the water or remove medication. I've never used the ammonia remover. I clean the sponge and biomedia once a month. Haven't needed to replace anything yet.

 

[peppermint]

BigJim - What is the 'biomedia' you use? Isn't it the 3rd medium that comes with it, the ceramic thingies?

Another question: Does the carbon deactivate dechlorinator solutions?

Thanks! This site has been so helpful

 

[BigJim]

Yeah, the biomedia is the ceramic chunks.

Carbon doesn't deactivate the dechlorinator. If you poured it directly into the filter, I suppose the carbon might suck some of it up, but, even then, I think the dechlorinator would do its job.

 

[blackomen]

I run the sponge on bottom and ceramics on top, on the ac110 I have polyfil in a media bag on top of the ceramics. I just rinse the media in tank water when I do my water changes every week. Never had to use carbon, hopefully won't need to med.

 

[peppermint]

Ok great! I guess I won't be spending as much on media as I thought.
Better news...one of my platies gave birth yesterday. yay! I was only able to rescue 8 babies while the male looked suspiciously fatter.

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

I run an ac50 and use sponge/biomax/sponge. I only run carbon when im trying to get rid of tannins from dw. I just swish and clean everything in the water i remove from my tank while doing pwc's. Ive never used ammonia things at all.