Fishless Cycle With Biorb 60l

[busterbrit]

I am not sure of the exact design of the filter pack in the biorb - but I would also recommend that you replace the carbon / zeolite mix with more traditional media - would the sponge from the last layer go in that compartment? You could then have another sponge or some floss for your last stage.

Leave the ceramic media alone - this is where your bacteria are going to grow.

the first compartment is smaller than where the sponge is located so i don't think that would work. What about putting floss in the first compartment? Is that ok to have floss before the sponge?

 

[alchemist]

You really want the floss as the last stage - but I assume the sponge that comes with the bi-orb currently in the last stage is quite fine. So I would suggest find a foam of a similar size for a different filter and cutting it to size - and as people have noted - you probably will not need to change it again for a long time. Just give it a squeeze out in some tank water when you do your maintenance.

 

[waterdrop]

Good to hear that someone has got one working nicely Loullabelle! It sounds like your good maintenance habits help things a lot.

re the empty compartment busterbrit, I'd have a look at the LFS isle that has all the filter media for various filters. In the big ole PetSmart near me there is quite a selection. Look to see if you can find any media that has a smaller granual size but is made of ceramic - this type of stuff does exist. If you just can't find any then really just straight carbon is an option, it can usually be had in smaller chunk size and it won't really do the normal correct carbon job because you won't change it that often but it at least is a poor biomedia and will work.

Agree that floss should go -after- the sponge, so just don't use that.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[busterbrit]

Sorry everyone. I had the filter all wrong. It is just one container and at this point the carbon and zeolit sit below the spunge. So I can rearange it how I would like it.

So since the carbon is a waste of time should I put the spunge first and then floss behind it? If you think this is the best option can you let me know what the floss does and how to care for it.

Thanks!!!!

 

[waterdrop]

Sorry everyone. I had the filter all wrong. It is just one container and at this point the carbon and zeolit sit below the spunge. So I can rearange it how I would like it.

So since the carbon is a waste of time should I put the spunge first and then floss behind it? If you think this is the best option can you let me know what the floss does and how to care for it.

Thanks!!!!

Yes, I would think that would work and sounds like a better solution assuming the flow rate is not changed too much, which I doubt would be the case. Just position the sponge lower, after the carbon and zeo is removed and fill the top with a thin bit of polyfloss (available in bags at LFS or there are other sources (cheapest source is huge bags a Walmart for stuffing pillows but you have to make sure there's no fire-retardant sprayed on)) such that it all sits in the disc chamber without being too loose. You don't want it so tight that water flow gets clogged but you don't want it so loose that water can "cheat" and get by without being filtered.

Be aware that later on after you get fish and are doing your regular maintenance, the poly may be able to be just squeezed out like the sponge in tank water but more probably it will be better to simply replace it. It won't contain enough of the beneficial bacteria to make a difference when you do that so its ok to do it.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[busterbrit]

bummer. I tried the floss but the lower section where the carbon goes has a part that does not let the sponge go lower so now I can't put the floss after it.

So I either have to put carbon or something else in this lower (first) section. Should I just put carbon and not worry about it? Or leave it empty?

 

[waterdrop]

I guess you could go either way. I guess I'd use carbon but I'd keep my eye out on LFS visits for some sort of more fine-grained ceramic pebble material so that maybe I could put that in there and not have to worry about replacing it periodically. (Not saying you can't just leave the carbon in there a long time (considering the situation) but it tends to kind of crumble after a while.

~~waterdrop~~