Filter Media Question!

[Axyadbad]

Firstly, this forum is amazing and has been incredibly useful and all the people on it are amazing!

And apolgies for asking so many question on this forum, but I'd rather do it right that wrong, so here goes..

The filer media for my filter consists of a sponge, and some carbon. Which from the 'know you filter media' section is a form of chemical media , the instructions say this should be replaced every month which I can't really be bothered doing .
The sponge is rather coarse and I'm not sure if its ideal for bacteria formation.

Here is the original media:

So basically I am planning on replacing the carbon with a finer sponge to act as the bacteria thing, and keeping the original coarse sponge as the mechanical filter, to save money. Also I've heard a proper bacteria sponge should be orange coloured, which I can't really see if its black.

This is my planned replacement for the carbon:

Would this be ok to do, and still be sufficient for filtration. I'm asking this now as i'm just about to start my fishless cycle with ammonia.

Thanks for any help,

Axy!!

 

[brian1]

HI Axy, I am not sure about the sponge, I would think it would work,I have ceramic noodles,and filter matt, have you asked your lfs if they will give you some filter medium? Most will oblige,put it in your filter and get a few fish to keep the medium fed, it is much quicker......mine was done in 2 weeks.........

 

[fishprotector]

I would replace the carbon with ceramic media instead. This is perhaps the best home for bacteria to colonise on and will not need replacing for years. Where abouts are you based?

 

[Axyadbad]

I would replace the carbon with ceramic media instead. This is perhaps the best home for bacteria to colonise on and will not need replacing for years. Where abouts are you based?

What is ceramic media exactly,although this sounds like a silly question to me . I'm in Lancashire, UK.

HI Axy, I am not sure about the sponge, I would think it would work,I have ceramic noodles,and filter matt, have you asked your lfs if they will give you some filter medium? Most will oblige,put it in your filter and get a few fish to keep the medium fed, it is much quicker......mine was done in 2 weeks.........

I'll be moving in a few weeks anyway so would I'm happy to wait for the tank to cycle in this way anyway. Don't want to risk transporting the fish and killing them

 

[fishprotector]

It is also refered to as biomax and is small ceramic cylinders, normally hollow. Its surface is very rough and the large surface area that this provides allows lots of space for the bacteria to form. Lots of people on here would give you some if you ask nicely. I am in East Manchester if you want a little.

 

[Axyadbad]

It is also refered to as biomax and is small ceramic cylinders, normally hollow. Its surface is very rough and the large surface area that this provides allows lots of space for the bacteria to form. Lots of people on here would give you some if you ask nicely. I am in East Manchester if you want a little.

Thank you for the offer but I have no car unfortunately (student), but I am moving over there in a few weeks for uni, if my tank hasn't fully cycled by then would it be possible to get some media then?

Thank you again for the help!

 

[fishprotector]

If you get the mature media before you start your cycle, then it will speed it up greatly as you will simply be multiplying the bacteria rather than starting from scratch to create it.

 

[fluttermoth]

I agree with the other posters; cermic noodles would be your best bet for replacing the carbon.

Those sponge scourers are very useful for cleaning your glass, but the sponge it too fine to use in a filter; you won't get enough flow though it. If you really feel you need a fine, mechanical filter media, then line the little 'carbon' section of your filter with a bit of filter floss.

Sponge makes a very good home for bacteria, so don't start washing that in tap water! Media, like sponges, can work as both mechanical and biological filtration; just keep it free of the worst of the 'mulm' by washing in old tank water

 

[Axyadbad]

Right I've currently made a hole in that sponge I showed to increase flow as I can't get the ceramic media mentioned by people until next week. I'm going to go my LFS pick up some ceramic media and try get some mature media from them.

Thank you for the advice and help guys!

 

[fluttermoth]

I would dump the sponge scourer now; it's not going to do you any good long term, so there's no point having it in while you cycle. Making a hole won't help either; the water will take the path of least resistance and just go through the hole rather than through the sponge.

Don't forget that you can easily cycle with a small amount of media, and add more for the bacterial colony to expand onto later.