Changing filter

[ClownLurch]

We’ve two old pond pumps from our last house. Hmmm. Could rig one up to water the garden with the waste water. I could rig a hose screwed onto kitchen tap fitting for warm refilling, or from under stairs wc hand basin which would be even shorter.
It’s the dechlorinating I’m not sure about. Is it ok to add the reqd amount straight into the tank before refilling? Would I need to give it a bit of a stir before refilling?
Im only one tank at 120L at the moment but it’s getting to be a pain especially as tank top is 1570mm from floor level. I’m doing 4x15L buckets Refill plus one bucket gravel clean which gives me 62% every time.

 

[Essjay]

I do a staggering filter change so I will change one of the 3trys every2 weeks to avoid loosing bb

Do you mean you change the filter media for new?

 

[Fishmanic]

Unless you are using filter floss as media, you should just rinse the media in tank water and reuse to prevent losing any BB. Once the mdia gets really nasty and falling apart then you could replace 1/3 at a time. Sponges / Foam last for years.

 

[Guyb93]

Do you mean you change the filter media for new?

Not change for new persay unless it’s a mirror pad or nitrate pad as they recommend to change every 3 weeks the sponge and ceramic I just rinse in tank water But never in the tank itself always in a bucket am I loosing bb doing this ?

 

[Essjay]

No, what you are doing is fine. It just sounded as though you were changing all the media so I needed to make sure.

unless it’s a mirror pad

What is a mirror pad?

 

[Guyb93]

No, what you are doing is fine. It just sounded as though you were changing all the media so I needed to make sure.


What is a mirror pad?

 

[Guyb93]

No I made that mistake a few years ago and lost everything other than a pleco and I use something called a mirror pad it’s made by fluval to me it’s like a pad of cotton wool really good for catching those tiny partials

 

[Guyb93]

No I made that mistake a few years ago and lost everything other than a pleco and I use something called a mirror pad it’s made by fluval to me it’s like a pad of cotton wool really good for catching those tiny partials

Sorry a fluval water polish pad not mirror

 

[Ch4rlie]

No I made that mistake a few years ago and lost everything other than a pleco and I use something called a mirror pad it’s made by fluval to me it’s like a pad of cotton wool really good for catching those tiny partials

Ah, that sounds like filter floss, you are aware you don’t need to buy the expensive stuff from Fluval or LFS, just buy a roll of filter floss and cut out to size for your filter, change it every week.
Much cheaper and easier.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finest-Fil...words=filter+floss&qid=1598792602&sr=8-5&tag=


I’ve been doing that for years

 

[Guyb93]

Ah, that sounds like filter floss, you are aware you don’t need to buy the expensive stuff from Fluval or LFS, just buy a roll of filter floss and cut out to size for your filter, change it every week.
Much cheaper and easier.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finest-Fil...words=filter+floss&qid=1598792602&sr=8-5&tag=


I’ve been doing that for years

Thanks for the advice I have thought about doing that myself but am always nervous about buying potentially toxic materials from unreliable sources , I will be sure to check your link

 

[Essjay]

If you buy filter wool specifically intended for fish use, it should be OK. it's thinks like pillow stuffing you have to be wary of as those contain fire retardant chemicals.