I'm running an aquaclear 150 on my 20 gal. I have been told the same as everyone else that the media needs to be changed every month or on a stagger so only one piece at a time gets changed. But I've been reading a lot of topics where the responce is too only wash out the media (in old tank water) and it's good to go. How true is this and what about the charcoal and ammonia rid sections of my filter?
Filter media question
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Its twoo its twoo! (sorry...I have Blazing Saddles on the brain tonite LOL).
There is no reason to change filter media monthly. It DOES need to be cleaned, and rinsing it in removed tank water is the way to do it, as you don't want to kill the nitrifying bacteria with tap water (which usually has chlorine/chloramine). This way you remove the gunk and trapped detritus which blocks the openings in the media. If you have a sponge as filter media, they rarely if ever need to be changed (they seem to last forever). If its filter floss, it will depend on how well its holding up. I change mine every 3 months or so as I tend to tear it up a bit when scrubbing the goop off in the removed tank water. Then again, I run bio-wheels and could change media every day without messing with my bacterial colonies.
Most folks here dont use carbon/charcoal or ammonia removing products. Carbon generally only lasts around 2 weeks (a little longer with a very light bioload, can be as short as 2-3 days if one is removing a lot of dissolved organic compounds like tannins from driftwood, or meds. There really isn't a need for it otherwise IMHO). If the tank is cycled, and one is doing regular water changes, ammonia shouldn't be a problem. By using ammonia reducing products you are reducing your bacterial colonies, as thats what they eat.
There is no reason to change filter media monthly. It DOES need to be cleaned, and rinsing it in removed tank water is the way to do it, as you don't want to kill the nitrifying bacteria with tap water (which usually has chlorine/chloramine). This way you remove the gunk and trapped detritus which blocks the openings in the media. If you have a sponge as filter media, they rarely if ever need to be changed (they seem to last forever). If its filter floss, it will depend on how well its holding up. I change mine every 3 months or so as I tend to tear it up a bit when scrubbing the goop off in the removed tank water. Then again, I run bio-wheels and could change media every day without messing with my bacterial colonies.
Most folks here dont use carbon/charcoal or ammonia removing products. Carbon generally only lasts around 2 weeks (a little longer with a very light bioload, can be as short as 2-3 days if one is removing a lot of dissolved organic compounds like tannins from driftwood, or meds. There really isn't a need for it otherwise IMHO). If the tank is cycled, and one is doing regular water changes, ammonia shouldn't be a problem. By using ammonia reducing products you are reducing your bacterial colonies, as thats what they eat.
As long as you rinse the media when you water change, or at least 4 times a month if you're doing very frequent water changes, its ok. If you don't rinse it at all, you'll wind up with astronomical nitrate levels. Its not a cure, but good water husbandry.
I wouldn't remove both at once; theres a good chance your nitrifying bacteria have colonised them as well. I'd remove the carbon and add another sponge in there, then give it 2 weeks for the bacteria to colonise the sponge before removing the ammonia bag.
I wouldn't remove both at once; theres a good chance your nitrifying bacteria have colonised them as well. I'd remove the carbon and add another sponge in there, then give it 2 weeks for the bacteria to colonise the sponge before removing the ammonia bag.
really eh? The replacement media must just be a way too make more money. It wouldn't make sense to keep either? Why? Should the water changes be more beneficial than the media or would keeping the current media, cleaning it and doing regular water changes be better?
Kinda like carbon and ammonia removers IMHO. Most lfs don't make money on the fish; its the accoutrements where the bucks are. The only time I recommend ammonia remover/reducers is emergency cases where ammonia needs to be reduced ASAP.
I wouldn't keep either for the reasons mentioned before. I just wouldnt pull em at the same time. Water changes are better then anything else in terms of tank water care additions; fresh clean treated water is ALWAYS a good thing as mentioned elsewhere.
I wouldn't keep either for the reasons mentioned before. I just wouldnt pull em at the same time. Water changes are better then anything else in terms of tank water care additions; fresh clean treated water is ALWAYS a good thing as mentioned elsewhere.
Ady1397
Aquarium Advice Regular
8O Thanx for the info
So there is no need for Ammo-Carb in my power filters...wow
What about lava rock?
Lava rock would be used as a place for bacteria to grow for bio-filtering. The porous surface of the lava rock gives greater surface area for more bacteria in a small area.
Wouldn't "scrubbing" the filter media remove beneficial bacteria?
Wouldn't "scrubbing" the filter media remove beneficial bacteria?
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