Filter Question

[Sky]

My filter which came with my tank consists of a retangular box with three compartments - the first has plastic Bio Balls in it and the middle consists of Activated Carbon wrapped in wool. There is nothing in the last compartment.

How often should I clean this filter and how often should I replace the wool and the activated carbon. My tank is Hexagonal (67 ltrs) When placing the carbon in the compartment should I make sure that it is completed surrounded by the wool or is it ok to make a "nest" with the wool and put the activated carbon in the middle.

Also could you please tell me what the Bio Balls are for?

 

[pwrpufgirlz]

I'm not sure I can help, but perhaps you could tell the brand and type of filter it is?

 

[newbie hob]

i am having one of those, and not too many people new what i was talking about, i dont know if what i will tell you will help you, but its a start

* i clean mine every week by rinsing it with tank water in a bucket, so you dont loose the good bacteria.
*the activated carbon should be changed every 3 - 4 months, i dont know what you mean by wool though, but if it is a spongy type of floss or fiber that can be separated from the carbon, you can rinse that one too.
*the way i have mine is the first compartment has some white floss the second i have put it layers starting with white floss at the bottom then the activated carbon, then a thick square sponge, the a net full of ciramic bits, the third compartment has nothing but the power head.
*im not sure about the bio balls but if im not mistaken its got sone ciramics or some matreial that the good bacteria can accumilate on which in return they break nitrit and nitrate into a safe level.

 

[Sky]

Oh dear I am not sure what the make of the filter is but it came complete with a "Fishes R Fun" Aquarium. I am sure that it is pretty basic but it seems to be doing the job ok.

 

[freddyk]

Filter media's work best when as little water as possible can bypass it. This means having the carbon filling the filter compartment 'wall to wall' is most ideal. Studies have shown that depending on the aquarium carbon needs to be replaced quite often. On average it's capabilities are used up after about 3 weeks or so, but it can be as little as a week, and generally never lasts more then a 6 weeks or so. Many peoples water simply don't need carbon at all, and it never needs replacing - experience will let you know.

Bio-balls are simply a biological filter media. They won't need replacing.