Time Between Filter Changes?

[Stuzzy]

Hi everyone, just a quick question regarding filter media changes. Had my current tank set-up for around 3 months now. The external filter I run has a phosphate pad and carbon 'bag', which in accordance to the guidelines, I have been changing monthly, along with rinsing the remaining sponge media in some tank water. I was wondering if this is a bit of overkill/ encouragement to get me to spend more money, given my current set-up!
125l Planted Tank
External EFX200 filter
Aquaone internal filter
T5 lighting (8hrs per day)
CO2 system with diffuser, 30ppm
Silica Substrate
Planted Bogwood

Tank temp 26C
Ph 6.3
Gh 8
Nitrites/ammonia nil

Tank mates

5 pepper cory
6 bentosi tetra
6 cardinal tetra
1 bnp
1 sae
1 bamboo shrimp
2 assasin snail

Fed fish flake and bloodworm pellet daily
Once weekly blanched spinach and frozen bloodworm

25% weekly water changes

http/i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o715/Stuzzy1/image_zpscc2814eb.jpg

More than happy to spend the money, but only if its totally necessary! Also, the inlet/outlet pipes are getting a black deposit coating them...is it advisable to unplug and get a pipe cleaner in there?

Many thanks!

 

[Mikey1]

i would ditch the carbon and use TWO sponges instead.....
 
rinse them every week or two in used tank water.....only replace when nessessary (when they are falling apart)....and NEVER change them both at the same time.....alternate them when replacing them

 

[This Old Spouse]

+1
 
The carbon should only be used if you need to remove any medication from the tank. Otherwise, you're exactly right. The manufacturers are just trying to get your money.
 
If you use sponges, they'll last a long, long time. 
 
And not a bad idea to scrub off the inlet/outlet pipes in used tank water when you do a water change.
 
Very nice looking tank, btw!

 

[leighton_87]

i would ditch the carbon and use TWO sponges instead..... rinse them every week or two in used tank water.....only replace when nessessary (when they are falling apart)....and NEVER change them both at the same time.....alternate them when replacing them

+1

Keep the carbon in case you need to get rid of meds but 2 sponges will do you much better for general use.

 

[Stuzzy]

Thanks, I'm just using the 'out of the box' set up at the moment, as I'm still a bit of a newby. The carbon certainly does a good job of keeping the water clear, given the large amount if bogwood I've got.
My LFS told me that the carbon and phosphate pads had a 'limited lifespan' and would potentially do the tank harm. But surely carbon is just carbon!!!???

http/fishkeeper.co.uk/site/product/aquamanta-efx-200-external-filter-

This is the filter I've got with the media as standard.....

Other than the carbon, any suggestions?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gvilleguy]

I bet your filter with just sponges will also do a good job keeping the water clear.  The thing with carbon media is that helpful filtering bacteria tend to colonize the mesh of the cartridge, so when you discard the carbon you are actually throwing away helpful bacteria.  In my case, before I learned better, it was causing my tank to mini-cycle when I did that.  So the LFS could have been referring to that?

 

[Stuzzy]

Not sure, the guy said that the carbon stops reacting after a while and becomes 'toxic' .....maybe I just have newby written across my forehead?!!!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Carbon filters adsorb things in the water... chemicals... tannins... so forth.  Over time, which is not too long (a week or so mybe more), the carbon will become "full" and can no longer adsorb from the water. 

 

[JohnBull]

I own a Jewel Trigon 190 ltr tank. From day one I have replaced my Carbon filter on a monthly basis,its not cheap, but are you guys suggesting its a waste of money then cos if you are Im well pleased ?
 
Thing is, as a relative new coming to fish keeping I was under the impression that a carbon sponge keeps the Nitrate levels down   Have to say what I'm reading now seem to blow this theory out the water then if you excuse the pun ? 
 
So just to reiterate,Would it be in my best interest to bin my carbon filter and simply add another sponge then ?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I own a Jewel Trigon 190 ltr tank. From day one I have replaced my Carbon filter on a monthly basis,its not cheap, but are you guys suggesting its a waste of money then cos if you are Im well pleased ?
 
Thing is, as a relative new coming to fish keeping I was under the impression that a carbon sponge keeps the Nitrate levels down

  Have to say what I'm reading now seem to blow this theory out the water then if you excuse the pun ? 
 
So just to reiterate,Would it be in my best interest to bin my carbon filter and simply add another sponge then ?

 
Definately. The only way to keep NitrAtes level low are a planted tank and/or weekly water changes. If you are happy your current 'normal' sponge houses enough beneficial bacteria, then you could replace the carbon with some fine filter floss....this will help 'polish' your water, keeping it crystal clear. Same applies to the Original Poster.
 
Terry.

 

[Mikey1]

are you guys suggesting its a waste of money then cos if you are Im well pleased ?

 
 
yes.....replace the carbon with more sponge/foam media
 
i have not used carbon in any of my 20+ filters in over 10 years

 

[Gvilleguy]

I participated in a discussion on this forum several years ago where it was suggested that "carbon sponges" are perfectly fine in the filter and beneficial. It is the "carbon cartridges" (with a flossy container) that saturate quickly and need to be replaced every few weeks to a month. So I was under the impression that the carbon sponge is fine - it would grow helpful bacteria colonies and last a long time in the tank.

 

[frapadoodle]

Aye, have to agree with advice so far.
I clean my media about once a month, just a quick rinse in tank water. Use sponge, ceramic, and some floss for a polish.
Imo the best way to control phosphates are lots of plants and weekly water changes.
Another problem with the mesh bags on carbon, is they clog and reduce flow.
I too only use carbon to remove meds.

 

[fatheadminnow]

I can see where the carbon media will be fine for colonizing bacteria.  But the affect of the carbon (adsorbing chemicals) will stop after a couple weeks or so.  But the physical structure of the carbon will remain for bacteria to colonize.  But that's it.  No physical filtration at all.  I would replace it with some sponge media or floss.  This way the bacteria will still colonize on this media and the media will also "physically" filter the water.  So, two things at once.  Better then the carbon IMO.

 

[JohnBull]

Thanks a bunch everyone.
 
Those Jewel sponges are not exactly cheap are they,in what way are they different from a normal sponge ?  Dont wanna sound a tight wad, but is there anything else you can use apart from shop bought sponges ?