Biorb Filter Cleaning/changing

[TommySide]

I need to either clean/change the filter on my 30l BiOrb...

Would changing it just remove all the bacteria? and if cleaning, how do i go about it?

cheers

 

[Anguilla82]

yes changing it would remove alot of the beneficial bacteria though some would still reside in the stones at the bottom of the tank.

if it is just clogged up just give it a rinse in some of the water when you do a water change.

if however the filter media is falling apart then i would cut it in half, buy a new one cut that in half, and then use half a new one and half an old one to begin with.
that way the old filter media will 'seed' the new stuff with the bacteria.

 

[TommySide]

yes changing it would remove alot of the beneficial bacteria though some would still reside in the stones at the bottom of the tank.

if it is just clogged up just give it a rinse in some of the water when you do a water change.

if however the filter media is falling apart then i would cut it in half, buy a new one cut that in half, and then use half a new one and half an old one to begin with.
that way the old filter media will 'seed' the new stuff with the bacteria.

thanks buddy, i'll have a stab when i get in.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, good advice by Anguilla. Bacterial residence in the gravel is not likely to be significant to the cycling of your system, the filter populations are key, so very important to preserve them. Many aquarists here attempt to keep their media for years, only gently squeezing or swishing out the clogging debris in tank water every month or so (or on a small biorb I'm not sure, everything would be faster and more volitile, so maybe every two weeks, but also you'd need to be even more careful about losing your bacteria as the smaller filter would have less overall.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[aaronnorth]

You dont need to, the substrate provided with the biorb range is highly porous (like biomax media) therefore changing the filter cartridge will make little affect.