Top Fin HOB Filtration question

[squirrelrabbits]

I got a kit from petsmart with a "Top Fin" brand filter system. Unlike my tetra or penguin filters, there is no place that I see bacteria colonizing other than the floss bag that holds the carbon. On my penguin, there's the bowheel of course and in my tetra there's a sponge insert that sits alongside the floss cartridge. On the top fin, however, there is only the floss cartrdige and that needs to be changed every month or so. My worry is: when I remove, am I removing (most of) my bacteria and starting over with each new floss cartridge? Should I put some kind of sponge inside the top fin filter, even though it didn't come with one? Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

Yes you would be removing most of the bacteria when you replace the cartrige. If you can cut a sponge to fit in the filter that would help. I've done it to plenty of hob filters, works great.

Tolak

 

[yvez9]

Yes you should add a sponge
if there is only one filter bag that needs to be changed every month or so, you will pretty much throw away most bacteria colony.

The aquaclear sponges are pretty tough and last a very long time. just cut them to the shape it needs to fit. You wouldn't even have to bother with the carbon bag

 

[gale]

My whisper micro filter is the same way-it came with a kit as well. I just got it so I have 3 weeks before it's "supposed" to be changed. My plan is to cut off the fiber-y part and stuff it into the filter canister so that the bacteria can transfer to the new one. I also might cut the carbon out of the new one and not worry about changing it every month. I might look into buying a sponge and cutting it to fit.

 

[squirrelrabbits]

As always, I'm glad I asked. Unless there are any other suggestions, I will go buy some aquaclear foam sponges and cut them to my needs. I will place the sponge (if I can fit it) on the output side of the floss bag, so the water that's gone through the bag will hit the sponge next. That's how my tetra filters are set up.

Speaking of which, does anyone use tetra whisper filters? Because I have not seen their sponge for sale at the LFS and I was wondering what people use as replacements. Maybe I should get some extra aquaclear sponges for that filters too....

 

[yvez9]

aquaclear sponges are the best
they last for a long while and can be cut to fit in any filter and host lots and lots of bacteria

your water will be much cleaner too since those floss/carbon filters are not really good at mechanical filtration

 

[Iron Man]

Well if I might add.....you really don't need to run carbon in your filter. That's just my opinion. Filters come with them because companies make money when you change the carbon once a month. Carbon is good for removing chemicals in the water like medications and that's good for that purpose but constantly running it removes trace elements and minerals from the water that it shouldn't.

It probably won't hurt you to run it but just wanted to let you know.....you probably don't need it unless you've just finished medicating.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

if you have 5 dollars, you can spend it on a biowheel and attach it.