Small Filters

[rambomatt]

hi guys, i'm new on here and have used the search function first but nothing came up...so:

basically i've got a jewel korall 60 tank setup. (54L uk)

i cycled the tank and all is going well, nearly 6 months now and i've only lost 2 fish.

my question is this: my filter only has one filter media inside. its a blue jewel fine media. it has no carbon filter or the white one(i forget what this type is called sorry)

do i definitely need the other two medias?

the only way i could get all three in the filter would be by cutting them up to fit

is a new larger filter the only solution?

 

[David12]

hello no you do not need to go out and get a new filter kept on useing the one you are do howver just make sure you are doing weekly water change lets say 15% so mabye take out about 8 to 10 litters it will take u 5 mins a week for you to do that and make sure you are cleaning your filter every 4 weeks or if u wanna be on the safe side every 3 weeks thank you david kept up the good work you are doing fine

 

[waterdrop]

Hi rambomatt and welcome to the beginners section!

Your blue sponge does not need to be replaced, just gently squeezed out in tank water each time you do filter maintenance (establishing a monthly habit of filter cleaning is usually a good way to start.) The blue sponge is doing dual duty in your filter by serving as a "biomedia" (a large surface area for the beneficial bacteria to attach to) and as a "mechanical media" by catching debris particles and holding them within the filter.

Carbon (aka activated charcoal) is a third functional type of media called "chemical media." Carbon is optional and used for special purposes for short periods of time. It is good for removing medications, yellow tannins from wood decorations and the occasional organic odor whose source can not be identified. If carbon is removing a significant amount of one of these things, it lasts about 3 days and then is ready to be removed and tossed. Its a good media to keep on the storage shelf but few of us use it on a regular basis.

Many filters have both media spaces and open spaces and the designer usually makes these purposes clear in the instructions for using the filter. Media should not be crammed in to clear spaces, but if there are empty media spaces then the filter is not being used to its full ability and more biological and/or mechanical media should be purchased and added. In addition to a biomedia sponge, many filter use a polyfloss pad or floss section to serve as "fine mechanical" filtration (catching very fine debris to "polish" the water.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Assaye]

I think you'll be fine with just the one sponge. Running carbon is totally optional and only really necessary if you want to get rid of meds/a chemical in the tank. I don't run carbon in my filters at all - if I have a problem, I do water changes to dilute whatever chemical is causing the problem.

The white media will probably be either a another sponge (for biological/mechanical filtration) or floss, both of which have their uses but are not necessary for a healthy tank.

As long as you have healthy fish and zero ammonia or nitrite, you'll be fine =)