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Post by kagome on Apr 30, 2009 0:52:17 GMT -5
I think the biggest workhorses I have in my filtration systems are the sponge prefilters I have in both tanks. They keep the big globby stuff out of the water column and the filter body itself. I am currently not running carbon in my 10g and haven't been for several months. I did put a carbon cartridge in it for six weeks once it became clear that I was probably going to have to completely break down and bleach the 38g. Once I had the 38g up and running I put that carbon cartridge in the that filter and have left it there since. I have not put any more carbon in the 10g filter and given that my parameters have been great and that two delicate species of fish are thriving in there I don't really feel I'm missing anything by leaving it out. I wasn't and still am not that worried about having the carbon in the 38g, I just used it as a vehicle for bacteria transfer. And then once cycling was under way I switched the bio grids from the two tanks. In about two months or so I was planning on removing the carbon cartridge from the 38g's filter and then I will not add carbon again unless I need to remove medication or something. I will just leave the bio grids in.
I am plan on adding mesh bags of volcanic rock to both filters. I am going to buy about four times what I would need to do both filters because two of my friends are going to be putting together new tanks and I wanted to be able to give them some seasoned filter media since neither one has an already established tank. After I give media to my friends I will just replace the volcanic rock.
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Post by goldenpuon on Apr 30, 2009 17:00:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the help guys.
Barbara, your advice was very helpful. The scrubbies sound like a good idea. Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen the pot scrubbies you mentioned Barbara. If I were to put them in, would they trap debris and also not block the flow of water going out of my filter? I would also have to make sure they are fish-safe. Could you give me a link to the ones you are talking about Barbara? Thanks!
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Post by barbara on Apr 30, 2009 17:18:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the help guys. Barbara, your advice was very helpful. The scrubbies sound like a good idea. Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen the pot scrubbies you mentioned Barbara. If I were to put them in, would they trap debris and also not block the flow of water going out of my filter? I would also have to make sure they are fish-safe. Could you give me a link to the ones you are talking about Barbara? Thanks! This is what I am talking about. This should not clog your filter. It's just a place for bacteria to grow. www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/item/61630/icn/20-385856/quickie/502.htm
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Post by Carl on Apr 30, 2009 18:46:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the help guys. Barbara, your advice was very helpful. The scrubbies sound like a good idea. Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen the pot scrubbies you mentioned Barbara. If I were to put them in, would they trap debris and also not block the flow of water going out of my filter? I would also have to make sure they are fish-safe. Could you give me a link to the ones you are talking about Barbara? Thanks! This is what I am talking about. This should not clog your filter. It's just a place for bacteria to grow. www.usahardware.com/inet/shop/item/61630/icn/20-385856/quickie/502.htmAn interesting point is that these scrubbies are almost exactly like a filter media pad sold by Eheim of Germany. Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on May 1, 2009 15:50:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I see what you mean. It looks it has a lot of surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow. The only problem is it is $14.49 for 6 scrubbies which may be a bit much for my budget. You said they sold some for dollar each earlier so I could probably be able to find them at a Target or Walmart for a few dollars and just buy a couple to start out. But what scares me if I buy it and put it in my tank and found out I've bought a brand that is not fish-safe. I'm not sure if I'm willing to take the risk unless I know the exact brand and type I get will not harm my fish. For instance, that not made our of anything toxic or has chemical residue that could kill my fish.
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Post by barbara on May 1, 2009 17:36:45 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry about them being toxic. I bought 5 at the dollar store....for a buck. They are made of nylon/plastic sort of material, no chemicals or detergents to cause problems. I have no problems with them at all.
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Post by bikeguy33 on May 1, 2009 21:01:09 GMT -5
renee....what you will have to look for are the scrubbies that arent a tight mesh. the tight mesh ones often have detergent in them. the way to test this is to scrub a plate with it....no bubbles should be fine. if you buy some and are worried...send a pic and i`ll let you know.
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Post by goldenpuon on May 2, 2009 10:22:02 GMT -5
I'm starting to lean toward that maybe I shouldn't buy them. They sound like a very good thing for my fish but I'm just too nervous about them being toxic... Even if I buy the loose mesh kind, knowing that there is detergent in some, I don't think I should get them. I'm not a fan of taking risks...
Sorry if it comes off that I'm not making use of anyone's advice. I am and have listened. I have just come to a decision that it might not be the best idea. Thanks to all of you that have helped. You have offered great advice.
Thanks again for your effort and time.
Renee
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Post by barbara on May 2, 2009 11:03:16 GMT -5
Renee, most of the plastic ones don't have detergent. It's more the metallic ones, which I wouldn't use in a tank anyway. But I respect your decision. You can get all sorts of things if you wanted more biofiltration...bio stars, bio balls, that you can put in your hang on the back filters. Anything that has a good surface area will work. The pot scrubbies are one of the cheapest things you can use, and fairly easy to find, but that's not the only thing that will work.
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Post by goldenpuon on May 2, 2009 19:02:47 GMT -5
Thanks for respecting my decision. I'd rather stick to what I've been doing than risk it. Spongefilters are a good way to filter. I think I'll stick with those for extra filtration. I have a Hydro Sponge #1 in my 40 gallon along with my Whisper HOB filter. They work very well together.
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Post by Carl on May 4, 2009 11:24:20 GMT -5
I know you made your decision Renee, but one more thought if you are worried about the scrubbie having soap (which most plastic ones do not as Barbara stated), and that is scrubber pads meant for aquariums are excellent for bio filtration use as well. I have used the Lees Scrubber bads in HOB and Canister filters for years with good results. This article notes this in the Mechanical filtrations section: Aquarium Answers; Filter MediaCarl
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Post by kagome on May 4, 2009 14:34:44 GMT -5
And the really good thing about the Lee's scrubbing pads is that since they are meant to be used on the inside of an aquarium they are guaranteed to not have any detergent in them.
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Post by goldenpuon on May 4, 2009 15:29:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Maybe I will consider them in the future. I looked at them briefly in the article and they look like they would filter well plus not block the water flow of the filter.
Thanks again for the help.
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Post by sammiesam on May 19, 2009 11:54:00 GMT -5
Wow, I was just thinking about posting a topic about the change that tetra made as well. I have two filters that use the tetra filters, and I DID have three. I found that the two that use the large size filter inserts have issues, I have no used one yet that has not broken open on me when i've taken it out to clean, the frameless edgesd just seem to melt apart after a week and it's ruined. It was actually driving me nuts because I was replacing them waaaay to often. However, the medium size inserts I like alot because I don't have this problem, they seemed to seal better, but I replaced my little filter with a new aqua clear 50
Either way, I'm guessing the best idea from reading this thread is just to make your own instead of buying the premade ones, so I am going to have to try that. I was worried I was going to have to go by new filters because I haaaaaate these inserts.
And instead of using those pot things you guys are talking about, couldn't you just go buy the sponge inserts from aquaclear, then you know they are safe Renee?
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Post by Carl on May 19, 2009 12:31:52 GMT -5
Sam; this is a good example where a so-called "cheap" filter cartridge is no bargain, i have argued this elsewhere many times. Even the popular bio bags deteriorate easily (not as bad as these new ones though). I prefer brands that use tightly woven poly fibers that are easily rinsed such as those provided by the Via Aqua M100 & 200 filters as well as the Millineum filter. I have one filter cartridge at a client I maintain here in Oregon that has an M200 Filter that I have "power rinsed" multiple times for the last 6 months. At $2.99 these cartridges are actually a better price when this is considered, and this does not even take into consideration that these types of cartridges are superior in trapping debris with their tight micron poly weave. Carl
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