Filter Sponge

[death]

hi today i noticed my filter flow had somewhat deteriorated so i did all the maintance on it ie clean the sponges etc etc however this did help it better it still dont seem to be as strong as i first got it its only roughly 12 weeks old so i doubt its broken but having read the booklet it says to change the sponges every 12 weeks so i have a few questions

1 do i change both sponges at once ie the normal and carbon?
2 wont my tank go in to a cycle mode if i change the sponges?
3 any other info i should know would be grateful cheers?

 

[morgan]

I have looked in your profile to see what make of filter you have but it does not say. I only know about Juwel filters. So if it is a Juwel the following applies - You can change the polypad after a few days if it is dirty. The carbon sponge needs changing every 4 - 6 weeks and if you have a nitrate removing sponge that will need changing every 6 weeks. The fine and coarse blue sponges must only be rinsed or changed one at a time or you will lose the bacteria. You can do one blue sponge at the same time as the polypad, the carbon sponge and the nitrate removing sponge but not at the same time as another blue sponge. Hope that helps. If your tank is not a Juwel it won't help at all! I also cleaned the black outlet nozzle and it had quite a lot of dirt in it. Your tank will not go into a cycle mode unless you rinse or change more than one blue sponge at a time.

 

[black angel]

Is it the fluval? You shouldnt need to change any of the sponges unless they start to deteriorate and then only one side at a time. How are you washing the sponges out? It may be the impellor that might need cleaning or it isnt sitting flush with the cannister part.

 

[death]

thanks for the replies guys sorry i should have said its a interpet pf 2 filter and has only i carbon sponge with one of the other white sponges i have cleaned everywhere poss on the filter but it is still not fully flowing though it is bettewr which leads me to think it can only be the sponges so if i were to put a new white sponge in would my tank go through a cycle again ? same with the carbon sponge?

 

[russkev]

Hi

Sorry but saw this note is referring also to Juwel filters. Tonight I cleaned all of my filters including both Blue in old water i.e NOT water from tap. My understanding is that this should be ok - Is this correct or will my tank start cycling again ! I hope NOT !

Kevin

 

[death]

Hi

Sorry but saw this note is referring also to Juwel filters. Tonight I cleaned all of my filters including both Blue in old water i.e NOT water from tap. My understanding is that this should be ok - Is this correct or will my tank start cycling again ! I hope NOT !

Kevin

no thats the way i clean my sponges too in old aqurium water when doing water changes itll be fine as mines has been up until now hence i need an answer on how should i go n change my sponges? i dont want my tank to go in to a cycle

 

[demonmagus]

have you tried cleaning the impeller?

 

[russkev]

[/quote]


no thats the way i clean my sponges too in old aqurium water when doing water changes itll be fine as mines has been up until now hence i need an answer on how should i go n change my sponges? i dont want my tank to go in to a cycle
[/quote]

OK Great thanks for the feedback

Cheers and all the best

 

[death]

yes i have cleaned the impellar cheers but still no difference so it must be the sponge do u know if my tank will cycle if i buy new sponges?

 

[big mick]

Yes it will, Ive got the exact same filter in my lobster tank, does yours have a compartment above where the sponges are with thoes strange little blocky things in (Im not very technical I know) I think they are for bacteria to breed.

To be honest considering the size of the filter itself I was quite disappointed at the size of the filter sponges.....they are TINY. Im glad Ive only got the lobster in there on his own so I only clean the sponges every couple of months.

You dont NEED the carbon so why not take that out and replace it with the normal white sponge (keeping the other white sponge in) leave that for a month then replace the other side (either with another white one or if you want the carbon in get that.)

 

[death]

Yes it will, Ive got the exact same filter in my lobster tank, does yours have a compartment above where the sponges are with thoes strange little blocky things in (Im not very technical I know) I think they are for bacteria to breed.

To be honest considering the size of the filter itself I was quite disappointed at the size of the filter sponges.....they are TINY. Im glad Ive only got the lobster in there on his own so I only clean the sponges every couple of months.

You dont NEED the carbon so why not take that out and replace it with the normal white sponge (keeping the other white sponge in) leave that for a month then replace the other side (either with another white one or if you want the carbon in get that.)

yes by the sounds of it its the exact same i also have the little block things and as i was a newbie i didnt really have a clue about filters etc and my lfs seems to only deal with interpet stock hence why i ended up with this filter and same make heater etc etc thanks for your help as now i know how to change the sponge without causing harm to my tank much appriciated