Filter Maintenance

[Frank77]

So, it's time to replace some of my filter media, and I have a question.
 
Firstly, I have an Aqua Clear 50, with a foam, then carbon, then a biomax sac of pellets.
 
My plan, to avoid triggering another cycle, is to replace the foam and carbon, keep the biomax, and place the new biomax on top of the old one for a week or two, then remove the old biomax and keep the new one.
 
Should I wring out the old foam in a bucket, and then rinse my new foam in it?
 
Should I add a dose of the Nutrafin Cycle Biological Supplement?
 
Is this the way to do it?

 

[NickAu]

 
So, it's time to replace some of my filter media,

Oh I doubt that.
 

 
Should I wring out the old foam in a bucket,

Yes then put it back in the filter, Unless the foam is falling apart there is no need to replace it.
 

 
keep the biomax

You mean this stuff?

 
I would just rinse it in some water from the tank.

 

[Frank77]

OK.
 
I'll keep the media where it is. I do rinse them off with treated tap water occasionally. I figured after a few months, it may be time.
 
 
 
Yup, that's the stuff. I bought a Fluval maintenance kit, for my specific filter. With 1 foam, 2 carbon and one biomax sack, it comes in a bag, that's like netting.

 

[Fishmanic]

Get rid of the carbon..mainly .just needed to remove meds.    Rinse your foam in tank water (never tap water)  and reuse---in place of the carbon, you could put some filter floss..maybe two layers .   At filter cleaning time,  replace the dirtier floss and just rinse the other filter floss in tank water.   Been working for me for my aquaclear 50 filter for the last 2 years.  Never replace the ceramic media...I never even rinse it.  

 

[Frank77]

OK, good to know.
 
Thanks guys!

 

[StevenF]

Get rid of the carbon..mainly .just needed to remove meds.  
 

yes it removes med s, but it also removes excess organics  (fish waist, yellow tint in the water, and smells coming from the water) and it can help  remove nitrate.  Carbon is a type of sponge but you cannot rinse it out.   When it is saturated with organics and nitrate it needs to be replaced.  I would replace it with new carbon about once per month..  Now it is possible to run a filter without carbon but you might want to gradually reduce the amount of carbon until you run without any.   
 
As for the biomax and foam simply rinse it out and reinstall it.  

 

[Frank77]

I looked into carbon use, and both sides of the issue. There seems to be a bit of debate in the hobby on its use.
 
 
I think I'll continue to use it, to help with the smell mostly. It's been running with it this long, it can't hurt, right?

 

[NickAu]

Please note this is just my opinion and in no way intended to offend anybody.
 

but it also removes excess organics  (fish waist, yellow tint in the water, and smells coming from the water) and it can help  remove nitrate

 
None of these are an issue in a cycled well maintained filtered and correctly stocked tank with regular water changes. If any of these are an issue you need to look at the root cause not a quick fix.
 
My tank has a faint smell of damp dirt, It is not unpleasant in any way, In fact my friends love the way it smells one lady whos into herbs and natrual stuff said it has a calming affect on people.
 
I buy Indian Almond Leaf and Black Water Extract to make my water yellow why would I want to remove the tannins.
 
My live plants snails and good bacteria take care of fish waste, Heck I do not even vacuum the substrate.
 

Get rid of the carbon..mainly .just needed to remove meds.

I agree.

 

[AquariumGuides]

Personally I only use foam media with my Aquaclear filter and ignore the rest. While you don't technically need to replace foam until it is falling apart, I do agree that sometimes when the foam gets brown and dirty it is worth replacing. I put 3 foam sponges in my Aquaclear filter so generally I replace them one at a time and I have never had an issues.  

 

[RCA]

I'll keep the media where it is. I do rinse them off with treated tap water occasionally. I figured after a few months, it may be time...

Defo, no need to replace the media unless it is falling apart as it now holds all the beneficial bacteria that your aquarium needs. Only ever rinse the media in the extracted water from the tank during a water change. This ensures you do not kill the bacteria.