Filter Media - Filter Wool

[Clarousel]

I use filter wool for my media and I'm wondering after how long will I have to change it? Do I just keep using the same one till it starts to physically fall apart?

Washing it gives me a headache since I can never get all the stuff out of it

 

[minnnt]

Just filter wool?

Filter wool is designed to be replaced frequently either every couple of weeks or every month etc. You should be using it as the top layer in your filter to catch any finer particles that the other media in your filter (such as the foams and sponges) has not caught.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I change my filter wool every week when I do a water change. Its not expensive if you buy in bulk.

Ebay linky to filter type stuff

 

[mattlee]

yeah buy a big bag of the stuff for about £6 and it will last you for ages

also change it as often as poss to keep your tank crystal clear, i would say every 2 or 3 water changes. if you keep it in too long it will clog up slowing the filters flow rate down.

the replacement period will also depend on what fish you keep. if its a tank full of neons or small fish then it can be left for longer but if you have a tank full of messy cichlids then the sooner its changed the better....

i stopped using it in my FX5 as it clogged up within a week almost stopping the filter.

 

[Clarousel]

I see. Good it's been around a month so it's time for a change! Yes, my filter came with loads of extra filter wool but somebody had to go throw it out Good thing I'm heading to the lfs tomorrow.

Is filter sponge better than filter wool though? If not I'll stick to using filter wool.

 

[mattlee]

what filter do you have?

basically if its an external canister filter you normally use sponges as well as floss with ceramic media inbetween. the sponges are placed in first, these will remove the larger particles from the water. then the ceramic media which can come in many forms like small tubes, little balls, glass pieces etc etc etc. this is where most of your beneficial bacteria will be colonising on the surface of the media. then last in the canister goes the floss, this catches all the tiny particles that the sponges and media didnt stop giving the water a final clean before being pumped back into your tank.

you might already know this but wash any media or sponges etc in tank water and dont go too mad squeezing etc as this is where you bacteria is. too good a clean and you may find yourself having a small ammonia spike and plenty of water changes will be required to bring the ammonia levels down to a safe level for your fish until the bacteria can build up again.

other filters are set up slightly differently but all use the same idea.

 

[Clarousel]

what filter do you have?

basically if its an external canister filter you normally use sponges as well as floss with ceramic media inbetween. the sponges are placed in first, these will remove the larger particles from the water. then the ceramic media which can come in many forms like small tubes, little balls, glass pieces etc etc etc. this is where most of your beneficial bacteria will be colonising on the surface of the media. then last in the canister goes the floss, this catches all the tiny particles that the sponges and media didnt stop giving the water a final clean before being pumped back into your tank.

you might already know this but wash any media or sponges etc in tank water and dont go too mad squeezing etc as this is where you bacteria is. too good a clean and you may find yourself having a small ammonia spike and plenty of water changes will be required to bring the ammonia levels down to a safe level for your fish until the bacteria can build up again.

other filters are set up slightly differently but all use the same idea.

I'm not too sure of the brand but its a filter that sits above the tank. It has no space for sponges plus ceramic pieces, only the floss along with a plastic thing with small holes.

 

[minnnt]

So if you're removing the floss then you are removing all your bacteria so effectively cycling your tank again...

I would replace with a fine sponge.

 

[mattlee]

is it a hob filter?

 

[Clarousel]

So if you're removing the floss then you are removing all your bacteria so effectively cycling your tank again...

I would replace with a fine sponge.

Yeah I figured so I'm planning on replacing just half of it and letting the new one grow bacteria first. I read on a thread here that you could soak your new filter media first before using it, but I think my fish would be freaked out..

is it a hob filter?

Yeah should be but it isn't those small-ish looking ones.

 

[minnnt]

Good idea.

 

[Clarousel]

I added the new one in yesterday. Left half of the old one inside too. Not sure whether the old one should be on top or below though

Also, how long does the old filter media has to be inside for before I remove it?

 

[minnnt]

I would put it underneath mate and new on top. That's how I usually do it. Leave it a couple of weeks, maybe a month then split the old again and add some more new for another month then replace the final bit.

It won't do any harm to leave the old in permanantly though.

 

[Clarousel]

I would put it underneath mate and new on top. That's how I usually do it. Leave it a couple of weeks, maybe a month then split the old again and add some more new for another month then replace the final bit.

It won't do any harm to leave the old in permanantly though.

Okay, I did it the opposite way. Whoops!

Oh maybe I will leave the old filter media in then. Will see how it goes. Also, I think the new filter media I bought is slightly tougher than the one I got originally. It's stiffer and thicker I think!

 

[minnnt]

Won't cause any problems mate, leave it as it is.