Filter/pump/cycling Question

[MontyJ]

I have a filter that just hangs on the back of the tank. If I understand correctly, the bacteria needed in the tank live primarily in the filter media. So what happens when I change the filter? I read through the beginners section, but nothing really covers the different types of filters and pumps. Filter media was covered but was very confusing to me, since this is all new. Do I have the wrong filter type?

 

[fluttermoth]

It doesn't really matter what type of filter you have; the important thing is how large it is; the larger the better (and by large, I mean capacity for holding media, not turnover rate)

Media is just whatever you have in the filter; could be sponges or plastic balls or ceramic rings, doesn't matter.

If you ever want to change your filter, you just take all the media out of your current filter and put it in the new one. You can cut up sponges to fit in (it's one of the reasons sponges are good for newbies; easy to move around!)

That way all the beneficial batceria you've grown during your cycle isn't lost when you change from one filter to another.

A lot of manufacturers will tell you that sponges and things need to be replaced; don't take any notice of that; it's just a way of trying to part you from your money! I've got sponges that are geting on for 20 years old now and are perfectly fine.

The only thing that ever needs replacing is carbon, which does get 'used up', but most people wouldn't use carbon on a day to day basis anyway; only for specific reasons, like removing tannins or medications.

 

[MontyJ]

I still don't think I'm understanding this. Here is the pump/filter I have:

http/www.tetra-fish.com/sites/tetrafish/catalog/productdetail.aspx?id=1276&cid=5639

It has something called a bio-bag, which is nothing more than a fluffy bag full of carbon, and a wirey looking plastic square. They sit inline with each other in the flow of water. I assume they are both filters of some sort. Is this where the bacteria live? If so, how do I replace the white bag without destroying the bacteria colony? If a different filter/pump is recommended, please let me know. Cost isn't an issue if it's quiet and reliable. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to pay $400.00 for a pump/filter but I wouldn't shy away from $100-150 if necessary. If the system I have is fine, I just need to know what to do when the white bag gets clogged.

 

[waterdrop]

You can get along ok with those filters. The fluffy little bags stretched on the plastic frames of a lot of these type filters are what harbors the bacteria, among other things. One thing you can do when the bag material gets old and threatens to break is to get a new one, slit it at the top, remove whatever junk they've put in it and then stuff the old mature "bag" inside it. (maybe oldman47 will happen upon this thread, he actually did some of these directly I think, maybe.)

Anyway, over time you will gain experience with media and filters and will join fluttermoth in appreciation of what really good filters are all about but I just wanted to throw out that you can get by ok with these, they're not all that bad.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Caprichoso]

You can get along ok with those filters. The fluffy little bags stretched on the plastic frames of a lot of these type filters are what harbors the bacteria, among other things. One thing you can do when the bag material gets old and threatens to break is to get a new one, slit it at the top, remove whatever junk they've put in it and then stuff the old mature "bag" inside it. (maybe oldman47 will happen upon this thread, he actually did some of these directly I think, maybe.)

Anyway, over time you will gain experience with media and filters and will join fluttermoth in appreciation of what really good filters are all about but I just wanted to throw out that you can get by ok with these, they're not all that bad.

~~waterdrop~~

+1

I have these type in my shrimp tank and I just modified them by putting biomax/ceramic rings in instead. All I do then is rinse them out with tank water when they get dirty rather than buying the replacement that the company suggests. (It's all a big money grab is what it is) and it forces you to start your biological filter over and over,(something you don't want to do).

 

[MontyJ]

OK, so popping out the old bag and dropping in the new one would be a bad idea. What do most people do in this case? Doesn't the bag get clogged up? I can see rinsing out the old bag in tank water then placing it in the new bag...I guess I just need to see the whole thing in action. Maybe it will become clear then (pardon the pun).

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, if you have the money, I, and I think most other people, would recommend an external canister filter, but it depends on the size of your tank; for tanks of less than 150l or so, externals are not really practical (IMO)

Having said that, there's nothing at all wrong with the filter you have.

The bacteria will live everywhere in your filter; the wirey looking stuff, the carbon, the bag, everywhere!

The carbon will get 'used up' quite quickly (it gets full as it actually bonds with the substances it removes, so you can't just rinse it off like a sponge). That's why we usually recommend people get rid of the carbon (save it in case you ever need it) and replace it with more sponge or media like ceramic noodles or bioballs, but carbon is porus and does make a good home for bacteria even if it is 'full', so you can keep going with it if you want to.

When the white bag gets clogged, you just wash it in old tank water until it's 'sort of cleanish'; obviously you don't want to wash all the bacteria away!

If you ever do replace media for whatever reason the colonies will soon recover (the bacteria can double in numbers every 24 hours!); just don't do it all at once.

 

[MontyJ]

Well, if you have the money, I, and I think most other people, would recommend an external canister filter, but it depends on the size of your tank; for tanks of less than 150l or so, externals are not really practical (IMO)

Having said that, there's nothing at all wrong with the filter you have.

The bacteria will live everywhere in your filter; the wirey looking stuff, the carbon, the bag, everywhere!

The carbon will get 'used up' quite quickly (it gets full as it actually bonds with the substances it removes, so you can't just rinse it off like a sponge). That's why we usually recommend people get rid of the carbon (save it in case you ever need it) and replace it with more sponge or media like ceramic noodles or bioballs, but carbon is porus and does make a good home for bacteria even if it is 'full', so you can keep going with it if you want to.

When the white bag gets clogged, you just wash it in old tank water until it's 'sort of cleanish'; obviously you don't want to wash all the bacteria away!

If you ever do replace media for whatever reason the colonies will soon recover (the bacteria can double in numbers every 24 hours!); just don't do it all at once.

OK, I think I have it. I appreciate the help. Our tank is only 29 gallons, somewhat less than 150l.