Aquaclear 20 Media

[soccermatt]

i have an AquaClear 20 filter. I've heard the carbon is fairly pointless in your filter so i was wondering if i should put some more bio filter in its place (or another sponge). What is the best bio filter media that would fit in my filter?
Thanks

 

[fatheadminnow]

i have an AquaClear 20 filter. I've heard the carbon is fairly pointless in your filter so i was wondering if i should put some more bio filter in its place (or another sponge). What is the best bio filter media that would fit in my filter?
Thanks

Just go out and get another bag of their "Bio-Max" made for the AquaClear 20 and put that in there.

-FHM

 

[Rafael Dilone]

I have an aquaclear 70 and i use its filter sponge, chemi-pure elite, and biomax. I change the the sponge about ever 5-6 months and the chemi-pure elite and biomax about ever 6 months. I suggest you get chemi-pure elite.

Chemi-Pure Elite Aquarium Filter Media - 5 oz.

Chemi-pure Elite takes aquarium filtration to the next level. Chemi-pure Elite aquarium filter media combines the organic removing power of original Chemi-pure and the phosphate-removal properties of ferric oxide to make the perfect filter media. Chemi-Pure is a safe, effective filter media for creating crystal clear aquarium water, controlling unwanted algae, and reducing water changes; making fish healthier and allowing corals and invertebrates to acclimate more quickly and thrive in their aquarium environment. Ideal for freshwater or saltwater aquariums, Chemi-pure Elite is the perfect replacement for any aquarium filter using bags of carbon media.
Treats up to 20 gallons.

Best chemical filtration i have used to date. They released a smaller version of tanks up to 20 gallons which would be great for you and you replace every 6 months so its not so expensive.

 

[fatheadminnow]

I have an aquaclear 70 and i use its filter sponge, chemi-pure elite, and biomax. I change the the sponge about ever 5-6 months and the chemi-pure elite and biomax about ever 6 months. I suggest you get chemi-pure elite.

Best chemical filtration i have used to date. They released a smaller version of tanks up to 20 gallons which would be great for you and you replace every 6 months so its not so expensive.

You should never change the sponge or the biological filtration media unless it is falling apart and cannot be used properly.

This is where your beneficial bacteria live and by throwing the media out, you are throwing the bacteria out as well. There is no point to throw away a perfectly functioning piece of filter media just because it has been in your filter for an X amount of time. Especially the bio-max, I don't think that every breaks down because it is a polymer.

-FHM

 

[Rafael Dilone]

I have an aquaclear 70 and i use its filter sponge, chemi-pure elite, and biomax. I change the the sponge about ever 5-6 months and the chemi-pure elite and biomax about ever 6 months. I suggest you get chemi-pure elite.

Best chemical filtration i have used to date. They released a smaller version of tanks up to 20 gallons which would be great for you and you replace every 6 months so its not so expensive.

You should never change the sponge or the biological filtration media unless it is falling apart and cannot be used properly.

This is where your beneficial bacteria live and by throwing the media out, you are throwing the bacteria out as well. There is no point to throw away a perfectly functioning piece of filter media just because it has been in your filter for an X amount of time. Especially the bio-max, I don't think that every breaks down because it is a polymer.

-FHM

As for the beneficial bacteria there are steps you can take in order not to get rid of it and since its essential in the balance of your tank. The Biomax pores do get use up and are less effective over time. So i would not change both at the same time since its a drastic change to the tank.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yes I know there are things that can be done and should be done to reduce the lost of the Autotrophic bacteria when changing out media. However, if one cleans their filter media properly and frequently, this should prevent any build-up of debris on the media hindering it useless. There is still no point to change the media this often, especially the bio max like previously stated! If you knew how these bacteria live and function as a colonization and their life cycle, you will see that there is no point to changing out the media like you do.

-FHM

 

[Rafael Dilone]

Yes I know there are things that can be done and should be done to reduce the lost of the Autotrophic bacteria when changing out media. However, if one cleans their filter media properly and frequently, this should prevent any build-up of debris on the media hindering it useless. There is still no point to change the media this often, especially the bio max like previously stated! If you knew how these bacteria live and function as a colonization and their life cycle, you will see that there is no point to changing out the media like you do.

-FHM

Ok i will keep that in mind and will look into it.

 

[rebrn]

hello, I have the ac 20 filter and I put in extra biomax pieces and also I put in a thinner sponge, actually it was essentially some filter floss because I needed to slow the current down even more for an eventual Betta home. But I agree with FHM just throw in an extra bag of biomax that will do the trick, cheap and easy.

 

[DropkickDragout]

I have this filter too, i love it! I'll definitely look into adding more biomax.

 

[bitteraspects]

You can add either more bio-max, another sponge, or some fine filter media like poly-fill.
It really depends on your tank.
If you have a heavy stock, bio max would be good but if your tank is properly stocked, the bio-max the filter came with will be more than enough, so I would suggest more mechanical/polishing media.

Any chemical media such as carbon, ammonia chips, or the stuff mentioned above, is essentially useless for daily operation and even potentially harmful in the long run.

 

[soccermatt]

thanks I'll defiantly get some more bio-max.

 

[nano_reef_ubergeek]

I would warn people about getting by with no carbon. There is no way to test for every contaminant in your tank ... plastics sometimes contain VOC (volitile organic compounds) .... they can potentially build up over a period of time. I would suggest that anyone should do water changeouts or run with a carbon filter or upscale media like chemi-pure. Most people do both. Testing for nitrates and ammonia is no guarantee of good water quality -- even if both are test zero. There too many good and bad components in the water to test for.

 

[waterdrop]

I can agree that there may be dozens or hundreds of trace water components that we don't have the ability, time or money to test for but I feel its important for our beginners to know that that's why we recommend water changes. Water changes are the gold standard of keeping trace metals, organics and other unknowns under control. The water changes have to be done with regularity and with good technique, but if done properly, they should be sufficient. It would be unusual, I feel, for one of our resonably participating beginners to come out of here not planning to do weekly water changes, or to understand that as a starting point from which they can learn and perhaps eventually modify.

There are filter techniques that our planted tank hobbyists use that involve resins as an additional media to help with the clearing of final ammonia traces that might trigger algae, but beyond those, I've been more likely to hear our experienced members express support for regular water changes than for additional chemical media.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[nano_reef_ubergeek]

I agree with you, but some people may be testing for ammonia and nitrates and believe that they do not need to do water changes if these two components are at zero. Plants and algae can remove all traces of nitrates.

 

[waterdrop]

Completely agree. The only thing we can do is to continue to try and be clear about the importance and benefits of regular water changes. I have many, many posts trying to help beginners establish the habit of a significant weekly water change.

Its not such an absolute that there are not other approaches that some experienced aquarists will take (there are certain types of planted tanks where people experiment with fewer water changes) but I believe it is a good idea for beginners to get a good year or two in with tried and true methods before experimenting with other less common things.

~~waterdrop~~