Filter Question?

[d3tained]

Hi all!!

I have 2 Dolfyn power filter setup in my tank.Before them I had a UGF which my tank cycled on fine.I changed to sand about 3 weeks ago and tank then started cycle and fisnished about 5 days ago. ( Without loss of fish and allot of water changes )

In the dolfyn filter you get standard with it a BIO cartridge made out of plastic with allot of small rails.The second cartridge that comes with it have Ruff cotton on it and active carbon.Seeing that I have plants in my tank I removed teh second cartridge and replaced it with cut out ruff cotton. ( Apparently the Bio cartridge hosts bacteria but all I see on it is normal "snotty" stuff as rest of the filter.The tank inside is clean. ) What is that "snotty" stuff?

No my question is the following:

Do I clean the ruff cotton inside the filter when it gets dirty in tank water and then put it back or do I replace it with new cutout cotton?

I believe that in the end of the day the cotton will have to be raplaced at some time with new ones?

Im asking this because my tank is very stable now and dont wanto messup anything.

Please help?

THX

 

[d3tained]

nobody?

 

[Coomon10]

I have a fluval setup. With this i have sponges that host the bacteria then you add the white ruff cotton and carbon (as and when required). In the fluval the ruff cotton catches the smallest particles and can be used, cleaned and used again and again since the sponges hold the majority of the beneficial bacteria- eventually it will need to be changed. I think you are 'recommended' to change the ruff stuff but I read on the forum that this was not necessary and you can save money by just washing it, you also save any bacteria on the cotton...

HTH

 

[d3tained]

I am washing it yes and putting it back but maybe should try removing parts of oit an replacing it slowly like that so that bacteria is ok.

 

[Coomon10]

Since the sponges hold most of the bacteria unless you are majorly overstocked i would suspect that adding the new cotton wouldn't have too much of an affect on the tanks processes. Slowly swapping parts would be possible with the floss, but not essential IMHO...