Filter Questions

[Don155]

Hi,

I'm new here. I've kept fish before, but have never had much luck for very long. Never understood about new tank syndrome before. Anyway, I've always used a UGF. But I don't want to go there this time.

Basically I bought a 29 gallon starter kit. It came with a Top Fin 30 HOB filter. The filter came with one new cartridge. There's a lot of empty space in there even with the cartridge inserted. The instructions say that the bacteria grow on the "filter frame", but what does this mean? Can I just take the cartridge out and replace it every month without destroying the bacteria colony?

My next question is, can I put an extra sponge in the filter box to give the nice bacteria a place to grow. I don't want to end up changing the filter cartridge and completely destroying the bacteria colony.


Thanks for the help,

Don T.

 

[Themuleous]

It means that the bacteria colonise the surface of the sponge. And yes add another sponge if there is room, the more space you have for the bacteria the better.

Also, don't replace it every month you'll lose the bacteria, instead take some water out of the aquarium and wash the sponge in that (not to vigoursly) and put it back, that way you get rid of the crap but the bacteria remain. Dint whatever you do use tap water, that'll kill the bacteria.

Sam

 

[Don155]

Thanks, I think the Top Fin filter I got in the kit is just too cheap. It only has the one slot for a cartridge. The cartridge itself appears to be just a floss bag surrounding a plastic grate frame and it has a bunch of charcoal in the middle. I discovered that I can take it apart easily. There is no slot for a second media like a bio sponge, but there is some small space on either side of the cartridge when it is inserted.

I think I'm just gonna toss this crap filter and buy a better one. Anyone here have any experience with a Penn Plax Cascade filter? Or if not, how about some suggestions for a GOOD power filter?

 

[Tolak]

Go with Aqua Clear, they will beat the Cascade. If there was a better hob filter, I would be running them. I have quite a few others, they are in a box in the storage area of the basement. You will be amazed at the media capacity compared to the filter you have.

Rather than tossing the other one, run it on your tank along with the new filter, with a piece of sponge or some floss instead of the cartridge with the charcoal. Keep an empty 10 gallon & a small heater on hand, if you ever need a hospital or quar tank, use the cheap filter on the smaller tank.

 

[Don155]

Good idea, that way I can have a filter cycled and ready in emergencies.

Had a look 'round the web and in the Hardware forum here. Aqua Clear seems to get fairly high ratings in most places I looked, so I'll go for that until I'm ready to move up to bigger tanks.

Thanks for the help, now I'm going to try out the "fishless cycle" on this new setup. Never heard of it before, so this'll be the first time I've tried it. Wish me luck...


Don T.