Filter Q's

[bolivian_d]

Hey,

I just have a couple of questions regarding the filter in my AquaOne 510. The soaker pads/carbon cartridges that I use were waterlogged so the water wasn't flowing through correctly. I haven't had a chance to replace them yet so I just threw them out. The water from the spraybar is now pouring out directly onto the black filter sponges which are above the ceramic noodles. I figured that the media might get a little dirty (with broken down leaves, gunk whatever) but it wouldn't damage the filter media. Do I really need the pads urgently, or will the media be ok?

Second question is that there were streams of green gunk coming out of the holes of the filter outlet (where the water runs back into the tank). It was starting to disrupt the flow of water into the tank. I didn't know whether it was good bacteria or just algae, so I pulled it off with my fingers and pushed it back into the filter chamber with the media (where it wasn't blocking flow). Most likely, what was it, and does that seem ok?

Thanks

 

[shelaghfishface]

you dont need to run carbon all the time, just after using meds, or if there is a colour in the tank( tannins,green), sounds like they are bunged up, take some water form the tank ( dont do it in the tank) and gently squeeze/rinse the pads in them,thenuse them again,sounds like maybe you need to take the filter apart and give it a good clean ( not with boiling water as a member just had an accident doing that) DONT wash the pads in tap water tho or you will kill off all the goodies in them
if i havent answered the Q to your requirments,dont worry others will help too

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah carbon media isn't needed all the time.

if you have a read of the link in my sig on weekly maintenance it will explain to you how you should be cleaning out the filter in more detail

the green gunk stuff is just algae