Filter Media

[Alien Anna]

hey guys what about biological and chemical filtration? all of these ideas so far only take care of mechanical filtration. dont u need something like activated carbon to cleanse and purify the water and keep ammonia and nitrite levels low and whatnot?

The sponges are supposed to house the bacteria necessary to break down ammonia and nitrite. Once your tank is fully cycled, ammonia should never be a problem again unless you get a crisis like a pump failing (causing die-off of the beneficial bacteria). Hence, you don't want clean sponges, you want bacterified sponges.

I only ever use activated carbon at the end of a treatment of medicine (such as algaecide) to remove chemicals from the water (usually so I can return my golden apple snails to the tank). Usually, that's no longer than over-night, then I take them out again because they're a pain when I forget there in there and treat with Melafix or tonics that are supposed to be left in the water.

Carbon is slightly helpful to remove ammonia, and not at all helpful to remove nitrite. If you leave the carbon to get "spent" however, a carbon sponge can be as useful a home for beneficial bacteria and mechanical filtration as any other.

The key to good quality water in your tank is the bacteria in your filter and gravel.

 

[Wasserpest]

The key to good quality water in your tank is the bacteria in your filter and gravel.

And regular water changes.

And a reasonable stocking level (bioload).

And reasonable amounts of fish food.

And water movement.

And no fouling substrate.

And no dead fishies slowly decomposing.

 

[Nik]

Thanks for all your input.