Aquaclear Question

[Corp000085]

I have an AC 300 with my 30 gallon tank... For the past month or so, the tank has been sorta cloudy, like there's a bacterial bloom. However, params all read zero, so i'm now starting to wonder if its the sponge in my aquaclear that's actually disinegrating into the tank. Its about 9 months old, almost completely gray and is starting to show its age. I was wondering if i should replace the sponge or simply cram more floss on top of it to act as a secondary mechanical filter. I've only got a single layer of floss in there, because if i add more, the filter starts to spill over. I'll wait a day or so for some replies or feedback before i do anything.

 

[drobbins27]

I would but a new sponge...safest solution to the problem

 

[OscarCichlid]

I would add some Ammo-Rid (a type of media like the carbon) to the filter along with cycle (drops).

 

[thecichlidaddict]

would add some Ammo-Rid

I woudn't, let the natural bio-filter do this.

I use two foam sponges in all my aquaclears. This doubles the bio-filter capacity while allowing me to clean or replace one sponge while still making sure I have bacteria on the other. If the sponge is looking ratty then by all means replace it, but don't replace the filter floss at the same time.

When rinsing the sponge it is not necessary to wring the heck out of it, just a rinsing will do the job, keep more bacteria alive, and extend the life of the foam sponge.

Keep in mind that cramming too much filter floss into the filter you can impede water flow, which can in turn reduce the filters efficiency.

 

[Corp000085]

by the way, blow leafs blow...

lets go buffalo!!
Lets go buffalo!!
Lets go buffalo!!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Corp000085

Have you replaced the filter yet?

I was wondering if your cloudy tank problem has been resolved.

 

[crazie.eddie]

What kind of fish do you have in your tank? Has the tank been running for about a month and then you stocked it with fish? If so, then it maybe have not finished cycling or maybe stocked too soon or too quickly. The cloudiness should clear eventually. Make sure you monitor your water levels and if theres a spike in ammonia or nitrites, then perform a 15% water change for the next few days until the levels go down.

 

[Corp000085]

That's the thing... Its been cycled and running fine for almost 9 months now. The fish are fine and the water chemistry is normal. I do my weekly water changes. However, tomorrow, (to answer your question inchworm), i'm going to remove the old spone, as the new sponge should be colonized enough. I'll replace the old sponge with a new new sponge and keep the floss. The tank is almost clear now. Its slightly better than it was before i changed around the filter basket. Hopefully tomorrow it will be perfectly clear with the new sponge. Oh yeah, i've also altered the fish diet a little by feeding flakes in the AM and bloodworms in the PM, instead of both together 2x a day. They seem to be consuming more of the food this way, causing less to drop into the gravel. I'll give you a definite answer by tomorrow though after i do my gravel siphon and filter adjustment.

 

[Corp000085]

of course, if it doesn't work, i'll be mad enough to go spend the cash on the magnum350 with the bio wheel. That should be good enough to filter just about anything.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Corp000085

I hope that the change in sponge will work for you. The filter you have really should do the job in a tank the size of yours. I run the same on a well stocked 55 gallon and it works fine.

Changing the feeding schedule might very well help, too. Sometimes uneaten food or decaying plants can raise the phosphate level and that can cause the water to cloud. In this case, even excellent filtration might not be able to help.

Good luck and please let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Corp000085]

By the way, what part of NY are you from, inch?? i'm from buffalo.

 

[Corp000085]

after 2 weeks, it works well. ALMOST (not totally) crystal clear, and great water chemistry, so its doing a great mechanical job and biological job.

 

[Angry_Platy]

Sponges in AC filters are meant to be replaced once a month.....carbon every 3-4 months. 7 months seems like a long time to me and may be the cause of your problems.

 

[Inchworm]

Sponges in AC filters are meant to be replaced once a month...

Hi Chooklet

All I can say to this is .............NOOOOOOO!!!!

While it's true that your lfs would like to sell you a new sponge every month, it's not a good thing to do. What would happen if you do that is that you would be restarting an entirely new bacterial colony every time you put in a new filter.

As for the charcoal, you don't usually need it unless you're trying to remove medication. If you fill the basket with filter floss instead you can provide your beneficial bacteria with even more places to cling to. This will result in a bigger colony of bacteria and a greater carrying capacity for the tank.


_____
Hi Corp000085

I live in Suffolk county on Long Island. There are quite a few members from upstate NY on the forum, too.

 

[crazie.eddie]

If you fill the basket with filter floss instead you can provide your beneficial bacteria with even more places to cling to. This will result in a bigger colony of bacteria and a greater carrying capacity for the tank.

True or you can leave the carbon in there, since it will also provide a bed for the bacteria colony to grow on. That's what I do. I only put carbon if my tank looks a little discolored or smells a bit, which very rarely happens. So I just leave the carbon there to allow the bacteria to grow on.