Common Newbie Mistakes! (Read and learn)
- Thread starter spanishguy111
- Start date
iairj84
Fishaholic
DONT KILL YOUR OWN BIOFILTER!!!: So many newbies do this it's almost an epidemic. You're a newbie. You're bound to get ich. Either that or fungus. Its almost guaranteed you'll make a mistake somewhere near the beginning and be beset with one or both of these diseases. They can both be dealt with using natural plant extracts and temperature changes. I'm not going to devote eight paragraphs to explain how to kill them because again, thats well covered in the board (I'm also happy to provide this info if you PM me). However, keep in mind that medications in fish tanks often do as much harm as good. Malachite green kills a great many parasites- but it also kills most or all of your beneficial bacteria. Only use heavy medications in the most extreme cases. Even comparatively harmless medication like metronizadole should be used with caution, everything has a side effect.
I currently have a HOB type whisper filter that utilizes a filter sponge as well as the bio bag with the carbon inside... I have read that it needs to be replaced from time to time, but what is it that needs to be replaced and what precautions do I need to make so that I wont lose good bacteria I've built up?
I currently have a HOB type whisper filter that utilizes a filter sponge as well as the bio bag with the carbon inside... I have read that it needs to be replaced from time to time, but what is it that needs to be replaced and what precautions do I need to make so that I wont lose good bacteria I've built up?
smmetz
Fishaholic
Yeah, I guess I am now an expert at thread necromancy. Didn't notice this thread wasn't touched in a year. I saw a lnk to it from another thread just a few days ago which is how I found it.
Anyway, Jairj84, I'll try to answer your questions.
I have owned 3-4 Whisper brand filters. Any recent one will have a black rough sponge in front of the filter cardtridge. This sponge is supposed to not be replaced, and it is supposed to hold bacteria. I'll assume you have one of these recent ones with the bio-sponge thing. I'll also assume you dont have the Whisper 60, which has 2 cartridges and 2 bio-sponge things.
Since you have only 1 cartridge, you have no choice but the replace the whole thing when it is time. I would just take the old one out, and put the new one in. I would not rinse out the black bio-sponge thing when changing filter cartridges. If you want, you can remove a bucket of tank water and rinse the old cartridge in it. Then you can let that old cartridge just sit in your tank somewhere for the first couple days after you install the new cartridge in your filter. This might help reduce any mini-cycle. If you do this, I would try to put the old cartridge somewhere in your tank where there is more circulation - like near the filter output or a bubble wand or whatever.
I only replace my whisper filter cartridges every 2-3 months, despite the 1 month manufacturer's recommendation. About once every 2-4 weeks, while doing a regular water change, I would clean up the filter. (I do water changes more often, just dont clean the filter every time) I would unplug it and remove the intake tube. When I have a bucket full of water from the water change, I would take the filter media (both the black bio sponge and the cartridge) and put them in the bucket. Then I go to my sink and dump the water that is inside my filter. I give it a quick wipe, rinsing with tapwater. (that is the part I had a question about earleir in this thread) Now, I put the filter back on the back of the tank. I fill up the filter with tankwater. I try to clean the bio-sponge in the bucket by squeezing it and moving it around. It usually has some debris in it. I put it back into the filter. Then, I try to get the gunk off the cartridge. It usually is really dirty. I try rubbing it, and gently scratching it with my fingers to get as much off as I can. Then I put that back into the filter. Then I put the intake tube back in the filter. Fill up the tank again. Plug in the filter.
You should never have to replace the black bio sponge on a whisper filter. They are easy to clean out in a bucket of tank water.
As you probably read before, do not rince filter material in tap water. The chlorine will kill the bacteria. Also, dont let your filter material get dry.
Anyway, Jairj84, I'll try to answer your questions.
I have owned 3-4 Whisper brand filters. Any recent one will have a black rough sponge in front of the filter cardtridge. This sponge is supposed to not be replaced, and it is supposed to hold bacteria. I'll assume you have one of these recent ones with the bio-sponge thing. I'll also assume you dont have the Whisper 60, which has 2 cartridges and 2 bio-sponge things.
Since you have only 1 cartridge, you have no choice but the replace the whole thing when it is time. I would just take the old one out, and put the new one in. I would not rinse out the black bio-sponge thing when changing filter cartridges. If you want, you can remove a bucket of tank water and rinse the old cartridge in it. Then you can let that old cartridge just sit in your tank somewhere for the first couple days after you install the new cartridge in your filter. This might help reduce any mini-cycle. If you do this, I would try to put the old cartridge somewhere in your tank where there is more circulation - like near the filter output or a bubble wand or whatever.
I only replace my whisper filter cartridges every 2-3 months, despite the 1 month manufacturer's recommendation. About once every 2-4 weeks, while doing a regular water change, I would clean up the filter. (I do water changes more often, just dont clean the filter every time) I would unplug it and remove the intake tube. When I have a bucket full of water from the water change, I would take the filter media (both the black bio sponge and the cartridge) and put them in the bucket. Then I go to my sink and dump the water that is inside my filter. I give it a quick wipe, rinsing with tapwater. (that is the part I had a question about earleir in this thread) Now, I put the filter back on the back of the tank. I fill up the filter with tankwater. I try to clean the bio-sponge in the bucket by squeezing it and moving it around. It usually has some debris in it. I put it back into the filter. Then, I try to get the gunk off the cartridge. It usually is really dirty. I try rubbing it, and gently scratching it with my fingers to get as much off as I can. Then I put that back into the filter. Then I put the intake tube back in the filter. Fill up the tank again. Plug in the filter.
You should never have to replace the black bio sponge on a whisper filter. They are easy to clean out in a bucket of tank water.
As you probably read before, do not rince filter material in tap water. The chlorine will kill the bacteria. Also, dont let your filter material get dry.
mark.w.jones
Fish Herder
September 15th 2005. How could I have missed this gem. I wasn't even keeping fish back then though.
Thirdfloor
Fish Crazy
This has been a great read! I'm on day 11 of cycling my first tank and this forum has been a wealth of knowledge and advice for me so far.
aimeec
New Member
This was a really good post.
It would have been nice if my LFS mentioned even half of these things.
My LFS sold me 2 Paradise fish to go with my goldfish - In the same tank. Theres so many things wrong with that, its not even funny anymore.
They are in separate tanks now.
It would have been nice if my LFS mentioned even half of these things.
My LFS sold me 2 Paradise fish to go with my goldfish - In the same tank. Theres so many things wrong with that, its not even funny anymore.
They are in separate tanks now.
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