Confused About Cleaning My Filter...

[dstev]

After reading advice from different people I am left confused about how and when I am supposed to clean my filter.

I nhave a Fluval U3 filter, which comprises of two carbon filters, two sponges with the carbon filters and Biomax cartridge that sits between the two carbon filters.

Firstly I am assuming the sponges are there to stop debris passing through the filter, they are pretty coarse. With this in mind I clean these thoroughly quite often (every 2 weeks) to ensure they are clear.

Secondly I have been cleaning my carbon filters with my sponges (in removed aquarium water). Am I cleaning these too often? Should I be cleaning them at all? I also changed one carbon filter and sponge a few weeks ago, is this advisable?

Thirdly, what purpose does the Biomax cartridge have? I can take the plastic bag with the nodes inside out, should I be doing this?

I hope someone can shed some light, as I am really not sure whether I am harming my aquarium or doing it good at the moment!

 

[ellena]

You only need to clean your filter maybe once a month. The carbon isn't needed, it's to remove medicines usually. The sponge is home for bacteria, as are the noodles. Maybe replace the carbon with more noodles?
Take each bit of sponge and the bag of noodles out and swish it in the tank water you've removed (never tap water, the chlorine will kill the bacteria) to get rid of big bits of gunk.
You should never replace the sponges unless they are literally falling apart. Lots of people on here have had theirs years. Again, this is to preserve the bacteria living on them. Carbon does wear out quickly, but as I said, you don't really need it.
Hope that clears it up

Reading the cycling threads in the beginners bit will help you understand what the various parts of your filter do

 

[star4]

I dont know about your filter in particular but the sponges do trap the larger debris and usually nead cleaning more often. Activated carbon sponges should be changed roughly every 6 weeks or so (should tell you on the packaging) you can loose some of the carbon by cleaning them too often if they are like the Juwel carbon sponges you will see lots of little black bits. The bio media with mine I just give it a little shake in tank water if it looks dirty. Hope this helps

 

[dstev]

Thanks for your replies - I'm still confused though!

The carbon filters are not really sponges but more like rectangular pieces of fabric on a plastic frame, only a few mm's thick.

I thought the carbon filters were really important as this is what the good bacteria lives on?

I have also read somewhere that you don't necessarily need the Biomax nodes as these collect ammonia but you shouldn't need it once your tank is established.

 

[Essjay27 142]

The bacteria will live in the biomax - the clue is in the name biomax. They don't collect ammonia. You'll sometimes see zeolite in filters, and that collects ammonia. Carbon gets used up in a few days, and it isn't needed on a permanent basis. If it isn't changed regularly enough, it will grow bacteria on it, but the sponges and biomax are better for the bacteria to grow on. The best thing to do is remove the carbon cartridges and replace them with more sponge.


Edited for spelling

 

[dstev]

The bacteria will live in the biomax - the clue is in the name biomax. They don't collect ammonia. You'll sometimes see zeolite in filters, and that collects ammonia. Carbon gets used up in a few days, and it isn't needed on a permanent basis. If it isn't changed regularly enough, it will grow bacteria on it, but the sponges and biomax are better for the bacteria to grow on. The best thing to do is remove the carbon cartridges and replace them with more sponge.


Edited for spelling

OK think I get it now

Getting Biomax and Zeolite mixed up. How often should I change the Biomax nodes?

 

[Essjay27 142]

Biomax needs changing when it begins to disintegrate - probably in several years time. Same with the sponges. The manufacturers would have you believe you need to change them every few months, but that's only so you'll spend more money.
The only thing that's in your filter now that needs changing regularly is the carbon cartridges - and if you replace them with sponge, you won't need to change anything for years. They'll just need washing in old tank water when they get disgusting.

 

[dstev]

OK excellent, I think I'm clear on this now. Just one final question, would it be a good idea to find some very fine sponge and cut it to size to fit where the carbon filter goes? The other sponge is coarse (you can see the the big holes quite clearly in it).

 

[Essjay27 142]

That would be fine. Put the fine sponge in between the coarse sponges and the biomax.

 

[Essjay27 142]

Thirdly, what purpose does the Biomax cartridge have? I can take the plastic bag with the nodes inside out, should I be doing this?

I've just noticed you said this. Are the biomax nodes still in the shipping bag? They should be taken out of the bag, washed and put inside the box (which they call a cartridge). Ignore me if you have done this, I just thought I'd better make sure

 

[dstev]

Thirdly, what purpose does the Biomax cartridge have? I can take the plastic bag with the nodes inside out, should I be doing this?

I've just noticed you said this. Are the biomax nodes still in the shipping bag? They should be taken out of the bag, washed and put inside the box (which they call a cartridge). Ignore me if you have done this, I just thought I'd better make sure

You know what, as I was writing the above I was thinking the same. Nowhere in the instructions does it tell you to do this though!

*goes and takes nodes out of bag*

 

[Essjay27 142]

Just give them a quick rinse first to get rid of any powder on them.

 

[dstev]

OK maybe I should read the instructions before I start, as it does clearly state to take them out of the bag!

A few very small grains fell into the tank, I assume it's not going to harm the fish?

 

[Essjay27 142]

No, it's just the fine dust you can get on the nodes can make the water go cloudy. The bits won't cause a problem - they'll seem like grains of sand to the fish.

 

[dstev]

Not really enough to do that. Thanks for your help, I may have a better time with my tank now!