Additional Filter Media

[mancin]

I have 2 HOB Aqua-Tech 30 - 60 filters running on my 55 Gallon. I've been toying with the idea of getting a hospital tank, so I wanted to have an easy way to transport media from this tank to the new tank. Right now, the filter media is attached to a piece of plastic and it slides in place, so I don't think it would be easy to cut a piece out of that. I do have the old blue carbon inserts in there as well (I know it's not serving a purpose, but I figured I'd leave it in there for media for now) and I'm looking to take those out and use something else to fill the back spaces. The filter media slides in facing the tank and the carbon inserts slide in facing the wall (so they are back to back).

I've uploaded some pics for clarification. Any ideas?

Here's one of the filters. I have the exact same filter on the other side of the tank.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Is it possible to put some filter floss in between the two filter slides?

-FHM

 

[mancin]

Is it possible to put some filter floss in between the two filter slides?

-FHM

I might be able to squeeze some in there. There are actually notches in the housing for the media to slip into, so if I put anything between it, it couldn't be much otherwise it's not really 'held' in place very well. There is an open area in the middle that I could hang something in, I suppose as well.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Okay, filter floss also gets dirty pretty fast, and will need to be cleaned in tank water every 3-4 days. I clean my filter floss once a week.

This would be a good media to transfer over to your hospital tank when needed.

You could also get a foam sponge, stick an air hose under it and place it in your tank at the bottom, allowing the air to flow through the foam sponge. Bacteria will then colonize on the foam sponge.

-FHM

 

[mancin]

You could also get a foam sponge, stick an air hose under it and place it in your tank at the bottom, allowing the air to flow through the foam sponge. Bacteria will then colonize on the foam sponge.

I'm trying to picture this. Wouldn't the air need to be pulled through the sponge rather than pushed through?

What if I threw one of these in the filter: Media Ball? I'd have to see them in person (maybe an LFS has some that I can look at) but I think that might fit just sitting inside of the filter?

Would another option be to put some type of sponge over the filter intake? I don't want to restrict the intake at all and not sure if that would be a good or bad idea.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yup, the bio balls, if they will fit, would be a very good choice for supporting bacteria.

The end of the airline would be under the foam pad, and the air will rise through the foam pad, and this will create a little current of water flow through the sponge, and this will allow bacteria to grow on it. You would have to weigh the foam down with something, so that it will stay in one spot and won't float around.

Also, adding a sponge at the inlet of your filter will also work as well.

-FHM

 

[mancin]

Thanks.

 

[mancin]

Well the LFS didn't have any of the bio-balls, but I did pick up some filter floss. It actually fit in between the two pieces better than I thought it would.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Well the LFS didn't have any of the bio-balls, but I did pick up some filter floss. It actually fit in between the two pieces better than I thought it would.

Nice!

I would clean the filter floss at least once a week in tank water, as it gets dirty and clogged up pretty fast.

-FHM

 

[mancin]

Nice!

I would clean the filter floss at least once a week in tank water, as it gets dirty and clogged up pretty fast.

-FHM

Not a problem, as I do weekly water changes anyway.

 

[fatheadminnow]

You might find that over time of using the filter floss that is becomes compacted more and more.

If this is the case, you will be able to add some more filter floss in there ever now and then.

-FHM

 

[mancin]

Now this may be a silly question, but how long will the floss have to be in there before it would be useful as 'mature media' in another tank? I understand there will likely be some form of a cycle depending on how much beneficial bacteria has attached itself.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Now this may be a silly question, but how long will the floss have to be in there before it would be useful as 'mature media' in another tank? I understand there will likely be some form of a cycle depending on how much beneficial bacteria has attached itself.

I would say 1 month you will be 100% okay to call mature filter media.

-FHM

 

[mancin]

I would say 1 month you will be 100% okay to call mature filter media.

-FHM

Sounds good. Thank you!