Aqua-Tech 30-60 Gallon Water Filter?

[Miamisportsfan45]

I've been thinking about buying an Aqua-tech 30-60 gallon power filter. It says it has bio-fiber advanced biological filtration and it says on the box that it "eliminates toxic ammonia and nitrate on contact", "far more effective than foam", and "never needs replacing". I'm a little skeptical because it says, on the box, that it never needs to be changed? Is this possible? Would I need to change it or mess with it after I get it set up in the tank? Please reply if you have had this filter or heard of it. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mr130gallon]

you should rinse it with tank water, but it is biological filter and not a mechanical so it doesnt need to be changed, you also cant even by replacements, because i have an old one for my 17 gal breeder tank, and i cant find a replacement for the one i lost

 

[Miamisportsfan45]

What's the worst thing that could happen if I didn't rinse the filter out before with tank water?

 

[mr130gallon]

no, i mean every couple weeks you should rinse it, you dont have to rinse it before you use it

 

[kelly528]

I think what they are talking about on the box is the black sponge pad thingy that you keep in all the time so that you don't lose the cycle every time you change the insert.

Aquatecs do need filter inserts in addidtion to this pad (which doesn't work the wonders they say it does IME) and if you neglect to replace them within about 6-8 weeks the fiber on the cartridge sort of disintegrates. Left alone long enough, it will 'explode' at the fiber holding the carbon in breaks.

If the Aquatec 30-60 is considerably cheaper, by all means go for it but bear in mind you are getting what you pay for. They work fine and are quiet, but I find they leave the water a little cloudy. If the price isn't far off from an Aquaclear 30 or a Fluval 3 plus I would go for that instead.