Filter Basket Replacement

[offspring]

Not quite a beginner but still very much in the learning stage. Am and 'old beginner'.

Had a bio-orb and was then given an Aquael Pearl 60 Bowfront aquarium. In the lid it HAD three baskets with different filter medium in them. The previous owner could only find one. Does anyone know where these baskets can be bought. I have tried the internet but no joy. Can I use something else instead? Can I buy media net type bags and put different media in them for the water to flow over from the pump?

I love this tank it looks great and my fish and plants are thriving. I have put charcoal loose, but of course it eventually goes down to the gravel at the bottom of the tank.

Thanks anyone.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, mesh bags to hold filter media can be had pretty readily at many aquarium shops and if you can make that stay within your filtration area without the water being able to "cheat" too much (meaning get by without having to pass over the media surfaces) then it might work, but it would be good to look at it skepically.

Carbon is not normally needed, by the way, it is good to keep on the shelf to be used when removing medications after they've run their course or for removing the yellow tannins from wood decorations or the occasional organic odor of unknown origin. The carbon is only good for a maximum of 3 days and then is ready to be taken out and put in the trash.

Instead, you should consider some larger ceramic or other high surface area media like Eheim sustratPro or Seachem Matrix which would fill out the mesh bag and hopefully fit the space more closely perhaps than a sponge, although of course sponge is also an excellent biomedia.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[offspring]

THANKS a lot for that, especially the advice about the carbon, I thought it was supposed to be in 24/7! I will now go and get some filter bags, as I am sure I can get them to stay in the filter system. I'll take your advice and get some ceramic type 'stuff'. As I said because I have everything running so smoothly (that's dangerous to say isn't it?) I didn't want to ruin things but wanted to keep the tank running cleanly and smoothly.