Changing The Filter Cartridge...

[pdludbrooke]

Hi all

Just to tag onto the original post by Bluedragon, I have a further question.

I have a Fluval U2 filter which has 2 sponges either side of a cartridge that contains white "nodes" about half a cm across. Are these the biological media or the poly/carb filtration. I have been slightly confused by the terminology!!

I understand from the previous posts in this thread about cleaning the sponges, but I am unsure what to do with these little white nodes. i think the instruction tell me to replace every 2 weeks? Is this correct? Would I be throwing away a whole load of beneficial bacteria or will there be enough left in the 2 sponges?

My apologies for my ignorance......I am new to all of this.......but your help would be appreciated!!

Al

I use the Fluval U series I have a U3 (just a bit bigger than the U2) I never used the pads that came with it which has carbon one side and fine filter the other, I replaced these with fine filter you can buy in sheets about 1 cm thick for cannister filters, cut them to size and fit in to the cartridge where the carbon/fine filter pad was, you will get a greater surface area for your beneficial bacteria to be, having said that don't go replacing both the carbon/fine filter pads both at the same time this way, you will be removing the bacteria by removing the carbon/fine filter pad.
No need to change the nodes (BIO MAX) they are ceramic and won't ever need changing, but I have had problems where slime has clogged up the bottom of the light blue cartridge which is near the intake of the impeller and stopped the motor from operating, you will just need to rinse the cartridge in old tank water, you will also need to clean the impeller and the shaft it is seated in about once a month to keep things running smoothly, the instructions that came with your Fluval U2 will explain how to do this, I just remove the motor by pressing the two clips in either side of motor housing (bottom of the U2) and undo the wire from the clips at the back, remove the impeller from the shaft and then wash under a running tap, you can use some ear buds dipped in water to clean out the shaft and the impeller.

 

[alistairw]

Hi pdludbrooke

Thanks for the advice on my filter. I was worried I would be spending loads of money buying new bio max nodes every 2 weeks or so!!

Al