Filter Pads

[saviour]

Right here goes, I am really new to this so please forgive my ignorance in advance. I have a betta lifespace tank the filter media is in the lid.

http/www.uda.co.uk/lifespace.htm

I had a goldfish in it but have now realised, through reading these forums, that the tank was way too small. I did not know this when I got the goldfish, I rescued it from a house where it was living in squalid conditions and it had not been fed for several weeks. The poor wee soul has since died so I was thinking of putting a betta in the tank. The problem is I discarde the old filter pad, it was a polypad I think and have to get a new one which will fit a space 16cms x 7.5cms. I do not know where to get one this size. When I got the tank this is the only filter media it had, is this okay. Also how long do you use them for, I have been reading that you change them once a week but I don't know if this is the case. Can anybody help.

 

[ValerieM]

You can buy bonded filter pads and polypads in different sizes and cut them down to the size that you would need. I think you would be okay with a betta in a 16 liter tank. I change out my filter pads every two weeks and rinse them out weekly. Changing them every week would get a little too costly for me, especially since I also use the Polypads.

 

[saviour]

Cheers thank you for that, so I take it I do not need any sponges or anything the polypad will do. Sorry if I have repeated myself but I want to make sure. OOPS forgot to ask can you put in morwe than one polypad, its just that they do not seem very thick.

 

[ValerieM]

I customize all the media in all my filters to meet my needs best. I run a single polypad in one of my filters along with a small media bag containing GAC and a bag of purigen (this is for my nano reef). I also have another filter on the same tank with different media.

But in answer to your question yes, the polypad can replace the sponge and yes you can use as many as you feel necessary.

 

[saviour]

Thank you very much for your help. Have been out and got polypads and put them in. I treated the water before putting it in. It is very cloudy, how long before it clears? I am so impatient.

 

[ValerieM]

What made the water cloudy?

 

[saviour]

Do not know. I put half a teaspoon of chlorine removing stuff as per instructions in it, otherwise its normal Adam's ale. Also while I am on, should I keep the light switched on?

 

[ValerieM]

I've never heard of chlorine remover making the water cloudy...perhaps someone else has experience with this? If there's nothing in the tank and no reason to have the light on, I don't see why you should.

 

[saviour]

Thanks, was looking at the tank just a minute ago and it seems to be a bit clearer