Bio media question

[TheDudeAbides818]

Can anyone tell me if it would be ok to use JUST some bio filter media in a hang on back filter set up? I have a 20 gallon tall tank using a charcoal filter cartridge. I managed to squeeze some bio media in a mesh bag into the filter chamber before the charcoal filter. So I have both. But I’ve heard that some people don’t even bother with charcoal filtration and only use the bio media like BioMax, ceramic rings, bio balls…. Just wondering if that would be better than what I’m currently doing.

 

[Magnum Man]

as long as you can redirect the flow through the foam, or mesh bag with bio media it's likely actually better than the premade cartridges

 

[gwand]

I don’t use charcoal. I use a biomedia bag and sponge. If the sponge won’t fit alongside the biomedia bag I use floss instead. You want something to catch particulate matter.

 

[jaylach]

Lose the charcoal as it is really pretty useless.

 

[fishorama]

I disagree with carbon (charcoal) being useless. Even though it only adsorbs "stuff" for a short while, it can act as another place for beneficial bacteria to grow. Similar to used ceramic bio media.

My preferred filter media is coarse sponges. What brand of filter do you have? I use mostly Aqua Clears anymore, but you filter sounds like maybe a Whisper or other brand from my olden days. Does it have a "sleeve" of polyester batting type stuff that you put carbon inside a frame?

I would just rinse & squeeze & swish it in old tank water to remove the worst gunk.

 

[gwand]

I disagree with carbon (charcoal) being useless. Even though it only adsorbs "stuff" for a short while, it can act as another place for beneficial bacteria to grow. Similar to used ceramic bio media.

My preferred filter media is coarse sponges. What brand of filter do you have? I use mostly Aqua Clears anymore, but you filter sounds like maybe a Whisper or other brand from my olden days. Does it have a "sleeve" of polyester batting type stuff that you put carbon inside a frame?

I would just rinse & squeeze & swish it in old tank water to remove the worst gunk.

Where did you read/hear that charcoal can be a site for bacteria growth? I was unaware of that.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I think any hard surface, especially a porous one, can be a place for beneficial bacteria to grow. So in that sense, yes, charcoal does some good. But not because it's charcoal. Ceramic media or coarse sponges work just as well or better, and they're easier to clean. You don't need charcoal unless you're removing medication, excess tannin, or some other chemical from the water.

 

[TheDudeAbides818]

My filter is an Aqueon QuietFlow. It’s just the closed disposable carbon filter that sits inside a plastic frame. I was thinking about trying to cut open a new filter, disposing of the carbon inside, and putting some bio media pellets or rings inside. Not sure if it will fit into the frame though after that, as that frame is rather narrow. If not, I’d have to remove the whole filter frame altogether and figure out something else to go in that spot with bio media that will also filter out particulate.

 

[MaloK]

What model ? They are the worst to modify, if not the worst period.

The bigger ones have a basket for a sponge at the output, I would use it for a fine sponge for mechanical filtration, (easy to maintain). Then I would try to have a coarse sponge in front of the bio-media. And something like Bio-home Ultimate behind. You can also use coarse sponge only, if you make sure that there's a channel that let the water move freely behind it.

You can cut a cartridge to create a divider then use that as compartment. Your Media should not go higher than the apex of the water return chute to prevent overflowing.

It's not my favorite filter for hacking.

 

[TheDudeAbides818]

Yeah I realize it’s not easy to modify. It’s the QuietFlow LED Pro for a 20 gallon tank

 

[fishorama]

In my similar filter, I tried removing the carbon cartridge from the "sleeve" after a while, a PITA. Then I added small "bio-bits" I had, another PITA. & the sponge/ floss part sagged & bagged down so it didn't cover the entire area. The water probably took the path of least resistance, less water flowing through the "bits". Not worth all the effort IMO.

Beneficial bacteria grow on any surfaces, as Badger agreed. I usually only use carbon (charcoal) to remove meds but it doesn't hurt to have it at other times. Carbon has very, very tiny openings, ceramic bits or rings also have many small surfaces but nothing like carbon. Meds (& bacteria) are adsorbed (not quite the same as absorbed). All filter media soon holds too much "gunk" to be more than reduced surfaces. I used to rub & rinse off some of the ceramic's "slime" for the same reason I rinse & squeeze out sponges. Yes, I might lose a bit beneficial bacteria, unless I use tank water. That's why I like 2 filters on most tanks. &, heaven forbid, I rinse in tap water (ahem, not for the small 1 tank,1 filter owner. Use tank or dechlorinated water to rinse media). Do as I say not as I do, my tanks are different than yours are & so is my routine.

 

[Helina]

I disagree with carbon (charcoal) being useless.

I've heard that it also traps some beneficial micro nutrients?
And it's only for temporary use, since I've also heard that it actually releases the pollutants back to water column once it has used up its capacity. In addition I have also the assumption that some small amounts of micro charcoal get into water from it easily, which can't be very beneficial. I at least don't see much use in it except after mediaction use, temporarily.

Can anyone tell me if it would be ok to use JUST some bio filter media in a hang on back filter set up?

Squeezing bio media into the regular filter cartridge/sponge space is something I've done before too, with Eheim Pickup 60. Added Seachem Matrix. But Then I just upgraded finally to Eheim Biopower, which is like a tiny version of an outer canister filter with slots for bio media. (Btw, it has exchangeable light gray parts in the package to exchange out the red lines in picture.) I modified that one too though, squeezed in a quarter of 100 ml bag of Seachem Purigen into the fine filter space, which wasn't very fine textured imo.

In addition, I've actually also seen recommendations for an outer canister filter also for small tanks, if it has an adjustable flow rate. That might be something to consider if there's space and finances for it.

 

[jaylach]

OK, the following link is a pretty inclusive article on activated carbon. Since I am sort of the side that says it isn't worth using I picked an article that is mostly favorable as to its use.

A couple of things in this article surprised me a bit such as it helping with algae control and that it can retard the growth of good bacteria by removing needed nutrients.

How to Use Activated Charcoal Aquarium: A Complete Guide

Learn How to Use Activated Charcoal in your Aquarium. Dive into Crystal-Clear Waters – Read Now!

petmedaily.com

 

[fishorama]

OK, I just scanned your article, I will read it more in depth later.

I use carbon to remove meds during a disease outbreak & throw it away after a few days (its "useful life" in most respects, not a few weeks). But not while actively treating, it removes many meds!! At least when fresh. It can, in a healthy tank become a place for beneficial bacteria to grow. I believe it was Tom Barr who actually tested whether fertilizers were removed by it. The short answer was no, not enough to matter. I'll search later (my dinner time). It does not remove salt well, water changes over time are needed for that.

My preferred method is to place the carbon under a fine polyester-type batting so tiny dust is mostly removed. Again, it won't hurt the tank with regular water changes.

I think looking at how biofilms work is helpful, but I lost my really good link to drawings that explain it better than I can. I believe it was Tim Hovniac (sp? of Dr. Tim's 1 & Only cycling bacteria in a bottle) that explained it well to me on another board. I'll look for that later too.

Once the carbon pores are clogged in a few days, it just becomes another area for beneficial bacteria & biofilms to form (that slimy stuff that coats filter media & tank surfaces). Some biofilms can harbor diseases deep inside & other interesting things happen in them too. Some fish graze on biofilms. We think of them as algae eaters, but they get more than just veggie foods from them.

Why does everything I want to revisit disappear online, while things I sooner forget stay forever?

 

[Essjay]

Why does everything I want to revisit disappear online

That's why I copy and paste into a Word document anything I want to keep I've had to create an index at the beginning so I can find stuff in the document.