Filter Advice Please

[GravitySmacked]

Hi,

I've recently set up a new aquarium that came with a Marina S15 HOB Filter.

This has 3 cartridges that they say will be have to be changed every 4 weeks.

http/www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/reminder/index.cfm

I now know that these cartridges are a bit of a con and I should be using standard filter sponge.

The problem is I have a semi stocked tank (the tank had cycled on these cartridges) and I'm now attempting to change to sponge.

There are 3 slots and I've cut a piece of sponge to fit one of them.

This is now fitted (see attached), does this look OK?

Is this going to cause any major short term issues with my cycle?

My plan is to swap a cartridge for sponge one at a time over a period of say 8 weeks, is this a decent time frame?

BTW the other issue I have with the Marina cartidges are they have carbon and zeolite in. Say I have to treat a fish I would have remove these so as not to remove the treatment but by doing so my tank would be unfiltered; worring

Sorry for the noobish questions, it's been a LONG time since I kept aquariums and I feel like a beginner again in many respects.

Thanks in advance

 

[GravitySmacked]

Sorry to bump, I just want to make sure I'm doing this correctly.

 

[Aqua Tom]

If your tank is cycled then you can change 1 third of the media every 2 weeks or so, but why do you feel you need to change it?


Tom

 

[fluttermoth]

As long as you replace no more than a third of your old media, you shouldn't have any problems with your cycle, but feed sparingly and test often for the first few days, just to be on the safe side.

Best to get rid of the zeolite and carbon too; you don't need to run them permanently. Just replace them gradually with sponges as you've done with everything else.

Six to eight weeks is a good amount of time to wait.

 

[GravitySmacked]

@Aqua Tom It's because the cartridges that come with that filter are full of zeolite and carbon. From what I've read eventually the carbon will start leaking back toxins into the tank plus standard filter sponge is better for biological filtration. I would have preferred to have left them but it seems by doing so I would have long term problems.

As long as you replace no more than a third of your old media, you shouldn't have any problems with your cycle, but feed sparingly and test often for the first few days, just to be on the safe side.

Best to get rid of the zeolite and carbon too; you don't need to run them permanently. Just replace them gradually with sponges as you've done with everything else.

Six to eight weeks is a good amount of time to wait.

Good to know I'm not doing anything wrong, many thanks.

 

[fluttermoth]

Carbon won't leach toxins back inot the tank, that's a myth. But as carbon doesn't adsorb ammonia, nitrite or nitrate, it's not going to be doing you any good, and as you say, if you ever have to medicate, you'd have to remove it anyway. I think you're making the right choice

 

[This Old Spouse]

I've never heard that carbon will leak back anything, but it's useful life is over in a matter of days. It really should just be used when you're attempting to remove lingering medications in the tank.

 

[GravitySmacked]

Carbon won't leach toxins back inot the tank, that's a myth. But as carbon doesn't adsorb ammonia, nitrite or nitrate, it's not going to be doing you any good, and as you say, if you ever have to medicate, you'd have to remove it anyway. I think you're making the right choice

I've never heard that carbon will leak back anything, but it's useful life is over in a matter of days. It really should just be used when you're attempting to remove lingering medications in the tank.

I read about carbon leaking toxins whilst scouring the web before I joined here. I hadn't heard of it myself before and I'm not surprised to hear it's a myth, thanks for the heads up on that.

Out of interest I'm currently cutting standard filter sponge to shape; is this all I need to do or do I need different types of sponge to 'polish' the water?

 

[fluttermoth]

Just standard foam is best. If you need to polish the water, you'd probably be best off adding a layer of filter floss which can be replaced.

 

[GravitySmacked]

Excellent, thanks again for the advice

 

[Aqua Tom]

@Aqua Tom It's because the cartridges that come with that filter are full of zeolite and carbon. From what I've read eventually the carbon will start leaking back toxins into the tank plus standard filter sponge is better for biological filtration. I would have preferred to have left them but it seems by doing so I would have long term problems.

Aha, now it makes sense.

Yes you are doing the right thing, swap 1/3 of the media every 2-3weeks to sponge & you are good to go.


Tom

 

[GravitySmacked]

Aha, now it makes sense.

Yes you are doing the right thing, swap 1/3 of the media every 2-3weeks to sponge & you are good to go.


Tom

Cheers