Filter Questions

[PDSimon]

Hi,

I cycled my tank about 1 month ago and am currently using a fluval U3 internal filter, which consists of ceramic rings, 2 foam pads and 2 smaller poly carbon cartridges. I'm upgrading to an all ponds solution filter with the media: Bio balls, Ceramic rings, Activated carbon and three fine filter floss foams which fit into:

Whats the best method of changing over filters whilst still keeping perfect water conditions?

Also,

- what would be the best order of media?
- It doesn't appear to have the thicker sponge like fluval filters do, would it be best to use some or rely on the fine filter floss it is supplied with?
- Is there any point in using the activated carbon?
- The intake looks big enough to let my kuhli loach/small rummy nose to fit through, whats the best material I can get to put over it?

Thanks for any help,

Si

 

[Defiance]

Hiya,

Filter change over, if you mean swapping media from your existing filter to the new aps one then just carefully remove old filter

Setup new aps one, but do not wet fill it just yet

Then simply swap all your existing media into the aps trays, then using the remaining water from the old filter top up the aps to the top (around 1" from the very top lip approx)

If you need more water to fill the new aps just use tank water

For a nice almost airless setup fill the inlet and outlet tubing on the new aps (by this stage you should get the idea)

Now for the media layout

On both of my aps's i have floss in the top, next down is plastic pan scrubbers (wilkinsons in uk 6 in a pack i think) 3rd down i use bio-balls (bought extra online from aps) then at the bottom the ceramics (again, bought extra to fill the tray)

With the floss at the top ... A: it's easy to get to and B: i don't disturb other trays

Water's always been crystal clear, and when flowrate starts dropping i know it's filter floss cleaning time

Some people reverse the media and have the same outcome, but for me i'd rather trap any crud as it enters the filter rather than having to remove all the trays to get to the gunked up media

Hope that helps

ps: I have some small fish in a tank with a aps 2000ef running, not lost any through the intake, but thinking about your worries, i guess you could use a flat type of pan scrubber (usually green, but hunt around and find the clear/white type if you can as the green fade so i guess a dye comes into play somewheres) then ziptie etc that around the intake, though obviously this will clog over time and reduce the flow

Hope it goes smoothly

Tony

pps: save the carbon bag for emergancy use later on as really it's not needed, and i just use the floss over n over til the day i'll need to use fresh, i use just 1 layer in each aps filter so have spares lol

 

[PDSimon]

Cheers tony,

Very useful thank you!