Changing filter?

[Convict2161]

Do you really need to change filter every 2 weeks?! (forgive me if I asked this before)

The filter I run has 2 bio wheels and runs 4 filters. I'm only using 4 filters but still... That's A LOT of money if I'm changing filters every 2 weeks. Also, I thought it was good to keep the filter in longer?

 

[black hills tj]

Not at all. Rinse it in some tank water and call it good.

 

[Convict2161]

Ok so let's say I'm doing a water change. I filled the bucket up. I can just take the filters out and rinse them in the bucket with the old tank water? Put them back an continue with the change? That's way better then buying boxes of filters every 2 weeks.

I'm just going by what the manufacture is recommending.

 

[black hills tj]

Ok so let's say I'm doing a water change. I filled the bucket up. I can just take the filters out and rinse them in the bucket with the old tank water? Put them back an continue with the change? That's way better then buying boxes of filters every 2 weeks.

I'm just going by what the manufacture is recommending.

Yep, that's exactly what you want to do. The manufacture recommends it to keep you coming back and spending money. As far as your biological filtration goes, its actually pretty counterproductive.

 

[Gboy66]

Yes. Or, make your own for 5 cents a piece..what who said that? Haha ya its easy. Take your filter frame and simply wrap it in the cotten fiber (i forget the name) then hot glue it down. Then fill with 2 tsps of carbon. Theres a you tube vid of it

 

[jetajockey]

don't replace the filter material until it's literally falling apart, just rinse in old tank water. Most everyone I know doesn't bother with carbon either.

 

[davePM]

I've had the same pads in my canister filer for about 5 years now! One is just getting to the stage of needing replacing. I bought a large sheet of filter media that will replace all the filters about 4 times for half the price of one Pre-cut filter pad. Just cut it to fit.

 

[Convict2161]

Wow! And here I was gonna go running to the LFS thinking I had to replace all my filters. I was like this is gonna be expensive! Every 2 weeks?! Crazy!

Thanks for the info! Saving some money=a happy guy!

 

[Gboy66]

I've had the same pads in my canister filer for about 5 years now! One is just getting to the stage of needing replacing. I bought a large sheet of filter media that will replace all the filters about 4 times for half the price of one Pre-cut filter pad. Just cut it to fit.

You dont even use carbon? Just stick the sheet in the slot?

 

[davePM]

You dont even use carbon? Just stick the sheet in the slot?

I've never used carbon! Just cut the media to fit whatever filter you have!

 

[KatieJ]

You dont even use carbon? Just stick the sheet in the slot?

A lot of people with live plants don't like to use carbon (me included ) because it sucks out all the ferts and stuff they add.

 

[Gboy66]

Oh darnnit i use ferts!! So just take the stuff and double it up and stick it in?

 

[nextgeneration40]

Petsmart has a sheet of blue filter media for around $6, its what I use

 

[Gboy66]

Doesnt carbon help purify the water though??

 

[Gboy66]

what kind of stuff should i buy for a filter? Like what kind of filter pad? Quilt padding with no carbon?

 

[black hills tj]

Doesnt carbon help purify the water though??

Carbon does help clean up the water a little, but its affects are really only seen for a couple weeks(depending on the water volume and amount of carbon). In my opinion, carbon's best use is removing medications from the water column, or used after the water column has been contaminated by a foreign substance.

Sponges, foam, and filter floss(aka...craft polyfil) are what I use in my filters.

 

[Gboy66]

Carbon does help clean up the water a little, but its affects are really only seen for a couple weeks(depending on the water volume and amount of carbon). In my opinion, carbon's best use is removing medications from the water column, or used after the water column has been contaminated by a foreign substance.

Sponges, foam, and filter floss(aka...craft polyfil) are what I use in my filters.

So its not nrcessary at all? Do i have to glue the quilt bedding to where it would be on the cartridge, or can i just double it up and put that in

 

[black hills tj]

So its not nrcessary at all? Do i have to glue the quilt bedding to where it would be on the cartridge, or can i just double it up and put that in

Its not going to hurt anything, but if you ask me its not worth the extra cash to continuously replace it.

I use filter media bags when I throw polyfil in my filters. They are like a buck for a few at PetSmart

 

[Gboy66]

Its not going to hurt anything, but if you ask me its not worth the extra cash to continuously replace it.

I use filter media bags when I throw polyfil in my filters. They are like a buck for a few at PetSmart

So i can just double up the poly and put it in?

 

[Convict2161]

So you really don't need those expensive marineland carbon filled filter replacements then? Would save a ton of money! My filter has slots for 4 filters. Guess they just want you to keep buying.

Love how it says "make sure to replace every 2 weeks" seems crazy.