Just a little filter question

[jiffy]

I currently have a penguin mini filter on my 10 gallon tank. The filter that you use in it contains carbon. Now, the manufacturers recomend replacing filters every 30 days, but I have read on this site to just clean it and replace it mabey every 2 months (or so).

I also just read in an old post somewhere, that someone said that if you don't remove filters with carbon that the carbon begins to leech the toxins back into the tank.

1)So what is recomended as far as changing filters that have carbon in them?

And my final question...filter floss. Most of the posts I read on this site about filter floss are people using it in aquaclear filters. I do not have a bio-wheel on this filter so I think that it might be good because it will give even more area for bacteria to grow. Once my tank is completely stocked it will be slightly overstocked so the added biofilter would be very handy. And yes I will be keeping up on my tank maintenence. Plus I hear filter floss will really polish the water.

2)Does anyone use it in a penguin filter?

3)Or am I just wasting my time with the filter floss?

 

[tstenback]

Jiffy

i use that type filter in a couple of tanks and i usually go about 2-3 months without replacing the filter. As for the floss yes i use it and put it in front of the cartridge and have had no problem at all and it does take alot of the fine particles out of the water. HTH

 

[jiffy]

When you face the tank, the filter pad has the black plastic side towards you and the blue floss side away from you. So, do you mean that you put it on the side with the black plastic side?

 

[tstenback]

No, on the far side of the cartridge from you.

 

[jiffy]

tstenback - thanks for the imput. I think that next time I am out by the LPS or LFS I will pick some up. Actually now that I think of it I may actually wait to get it until the tank is completely stocked because I don't want to screw up cleaning the floss or changing it and remove/kill any bacteria that the tank needed.

I figure that once the tank is cycled with the full load, the filterfloss would just be a buffer for more bacteria if needed and to help keep the water extra clear anddebris free. And that way if I screw up with the filter floss, it won't be disasterous.

 

[FishDan]

Regarding the carbon "leaching" toxins into your tank, that is untrue. The carbon adsorbs impurities from the water. This is a chemical bond not easily broken (it takes excessive heat). Once the toxins are adsorbed by the carbon, they are staying there. The only thing that will happen after the carbon has adsorbed all the impurities it can, is that it will stop adsorbing more. At this point the carbon becomes a great home for more beneficial bacteria.

On the subject of beneficial bacteria, it is my understanding that filter floss needs replacement often, as it is designed to be more of a mechanical filter, there to filter out smaller particles. Therefore it gets clogged easily and should be replaced fairly often. If you get sheets of this, it can be used in just about any filter made.

Many aquariasts don't even use carbon in their filters unless they are actively using it to remove meds and other impurities. It is by no means neceassary. Personally, in my Emporer 280 filter I rinse the carbon filter in tank water monthly (during a water change) and pop it back in my filter. The carbon has long since ceased being "useful" for what carbon does, but it is an excellent media for beneficial bacteria.

\Dan

 

[jiffy]

Dan - thanks for the lowdown on carbon in the tank. So, I assume now that when the manufacturers suggest changing filters every month it is because of the carbon passing its usefulness, not because the filter is bad.

I was actually looking at marinelands website today and they have this thing called white diamond that supposidly removes ammonia from the tank. That seems like something that would be neat.

Good call on the filterfloss needing frequent replacement too. I was not aware how long it would be good for so its nice to know it wont be long. I still may give it a shot.

If all the filters pads for my filter contain carbon, how would I remove the carbon to medicate a tank without killing off the beneficial bacteria by removing the filter pad?

 

[FishDan]

So, I assume now that when the manufacturers suggest changing filters every month it is because of the carbon passing its usefulness, not because the filter is bad.

Maybe I am cynical, but I think mostly they say replace your filter every month to increase their profits. Many people keep the same filter in their tank for months, rinsing it out to remove the debris that collects in it.

White diamond and products like it are great. For emergencies, and not really for everyday use. Like if you have several fish die and you get an ammonia spike. Using them as a permanent solution to keep ammonia down is not a good idea. These also loose effectiveness eventually and that could lead to bigger problems down the road.

Filterfloss is a great mechanical media, and it's not so bad that it needs frequent replaceement. It's fairly cheap most places and does wonders to help clarify your water.

If all the filters pads for my filter contain carbon, how would I remove the carbon to medicate a tank without killing off the beneficial bacteria by removing the filter pad?

In the long run, this really isn't that big a deal. A larger number of the beneficial bacteria live in your tank, on any surface (gravel/sand, plants, other decorations, the glass) so removing the filter pad to medicate from a cycled tank shouldn't put such a large strain on the system. If you want to preserve the bacteria on the filter, simply keep it wet, aerated and "fed" in a bucket of dechlorinated water while you medicate. Set up a small bucket with dechlorinated water, put the filter media in, run an airstone and fed the bacteria similar to what you do during your initial cycle. Only much less concentrated. Plus, if you medicate a tank with a carbon filter that has been used a while, the carbon won't be adsorbing that much of your meds even if you left it in.

\Dan

 

[jiffy]

I agre about the white diamond only being useful for emergencies. Like you said, it will loose effectiveness and then it wont be removing any ammonia, let alone any problems from letting it stay in the tank.

I am definitly going to buy some filterfloss and give it a shot. I would like to see how my tank looks with it in.

And lastly...I thought the filter was one of the largest places bacteria colonizes, not one of the smaller. That is why I have heard it is a good idea to put your new filter in with the old one for about a week so that bacteria has time to colonize on the new filter pad before you remove the old one.

Although, to contradict myself, I have also heard of removing your filter pad and placing it in a Hospital Tank when you needed it up and running asap. Doing that would require just putting a new filter into your existing tank....