Best practice for Aqueon filter

[junyor]

Hi Guys:

I have read a lot about this topic here and other forums, I'm still a little confused on the best practice for this filters, I mean, I have an Aqueon 50 in my 36 gal tank, I like this filters for their very little noise and good flow, now, the media in this filters last a month and the light start blinking indicating the cartridge is clogged and need "replacement or clean", this filters have also the Bio Holster for the cartridge and the special pad water flow thing, as many of you may know this cartridges have active carbon, I know there's a whole other topic regarding active carbon "benefits" in the aquarium water.



Now my question is the following: Is there a need to replace the filter cartridge since there's a Bio Holster for good bacteria? I don't want to start a mini cycle every time I change the cartridge.

Just to let you know I put a Fluval Polishing pads inside the filter and in the flow between the bio holster and the water exit.



Thanks

 

[FishGuest5123]

I have the filter but must be an older model as no lights blinking. I have never found a filter that needed cartridge changes once a month. Can you take it out and put it back in?

 

[junyor]

I have the filter but must be an older model as no lights blinking. I have never found a filter that needed cartridge changes once a month. Can you take it out and put it back in?

Hi Deanasue, thanks for the reply, what do you mean by your question? I can take out the filter, the cartridge?

Thanks

 

[Fishmanic]

many here replace the cartidge in filters with a properly cut sponge.. Then you just squeeze it out in tank water every couple of weeks and reuse it. Carbon is not needed unless removing meds. No need to buy any more cartridges.

 

[Jan Cavalieri]

That is a far different model that what I have. I have a terrible time with my sponge filter getting terribly clogged and slowing down the water, like others have mentioned, I pull a bucket of water out of my tank and squeeze the filter into the tank water until it's still dirty looking but not clogged looking, the proceed to clean the rest of the filter while I'm at it - the intake tubes on mine clog nearly daily so I clean those constantly (I've tried putting filter covers on them but it just makes things worse. ) You just don't want to lose all that bacteria. I don't use charcoal much any more although I do think it keeps the smell down and water a little clearer - I'm currently using my own made bags filled with 100 grams of Purigen which keeps the water very clear. The purigen you regenerate by soaking in bleach for 8 hours followed by soaking overnight in prime and you can use them indefinitely. It works better than charcoal and supposedly removes ammonia and nitrite from the water,

As an aside I've started to find this famous filter has become a major pain in the but. Vegetation easily clogs the intake tubes, it doesn't have much of a slow mode for feeding time so my food is sucked in before the fish can eat it. The intake tubes themselves are a pain to take on and take off - plus if you want to remove the curved piece at the top of the filter it becomes a major hassle to get the curved piece pushed down enough to close the lid. I've found my hair wrapped around the impeller (my fault) and the little plastic gizmo on the back of the filter to hold it at an angle is constantly falling out and is major pain to put back it. Thought I was buying one of the best HOB filters on the market so all 4 of my tanks have them - now I'm usually fixing and/or cleaning two filters EVERY DAY. Completely unacceptable.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

many here replace the cartidge in filters with a properly cut sponge.. Then you just squeeze it out in tank water every couple of weeks and reuse it. Carbon is not needed unless removing meds. No need to buy any more cartridges.

That is what I do with my bigger tanks, and this works for me.

 

[Jan Cavalieri]

I did used to replace my carbon filters every 30 days because they are so cheap and like most of you I soak my sponge filter in a bucket of tank water but I am shocked at how many "pores" of the foam are closed up and may have to risk losing some bacteria just to get the filter to work again. The tank water just isn't doing it any more.

Right now I'm using Purigen (a Seachem product) in a microfiber bag ( I put in 100 grams per bag) and they can be rejuvenated as often as necessary - It does an amazing job of clearing the water, as well as helps to lower ammonia and nitrites. I'm impressed so far. Haven't had to rejuvenate one yet but it takes a bleach soak and a long prime soak. and then it's ready to go again. I have never had such clean looking water - way better than charcoal. How much it's doing for Ammonia and Nitrites remains to be seen.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I just rinse my filter cartridges and re-use them for a couple of years.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I just rinse my filter cartridges and re-use them for a couple of years.

Same. You really don’t need to change your filter cartridges, like the box says, it’s just a way for them to make more money. You don’t need to change them unless they are completely broken down. I have been using the same filter cartridge for almost a year now.

 

[seangee]

Right now I'm using Purigen (a Seachem product) in a microfiber bag ( I put in 100 grams per bag) and they can be rejuvenated as often as necessary - It does an amazing job of clearing the water, as well as helps to lower ammonia and nitrites. I'm impressed so far. Haven't had to rejuvenate one yet but it takes a bleach soak and a long prime soak. and then it's ready to go again. I have never had such clean looking water - way better than charcoal. How much it's doing for Ammonia and Nitrites remains to be seen.

Seachem does not claim that this product reduces ammonia or nitrates. Their claim is that it controls these by adsorbing organic waste which contributes to the creation of those things. It can also only be rejuvinated 10 times at most. It does a great job of making your water look clean - but no more than that.

 

[junyor]

Thanks all for your replies; This Purigen will also help with the cloudy water? Mine is really cloudy right now.

Also I'm thinking on change my cartridge for a sponge one once the cycle is completed, I added ceramic rings inside my filter.

Thanks

 

[Essjay]

If you are doing a fishless cycle, now is the time to change the cartridge for sponge.

 

[junyor]

If you are doing a fishless cycle, now is the time to change the cartridge for sponge.

Thanks for the reply, quick question, I already started to get ammonia reduction and Nitrate presence, if I change the cartridge, will this affect the bacteria production?

 

[Essjay]

Do you have fish or not? if you are doing a fishless cycle, change it now as all that will do is make the cycle take a few hours longer. But if you have fish in the tank and are doing a fish-in cycle, you need to grow bacteria as quickly as possible. Once it is cycled, wait a few weeks, then swap the cartridge.

 

[junyor]

Do you have fish or not? if you are doing a fishless cycle, change it now as all that will do is make the cycle take a few hours longer. But if you have fish in the tank and are doing a fish-in cycle, you need to grow bacteria as quickly as possible. Once it is cycled, wait a few weeks, then swap the cartridge.

Hi Essjay, no, I don't have fish, is just that the bacteria started to appear and I'm in the fifth week of cycling, but anyway I just changed the media in my filter. let see how it goes!! Thanks