FLUVAL 304 HELP.!!!

[ak_47]

Hello people and thanks for having me as a member, i really need some help, i have a fluval cannister filter but i'm not to sure on what i need to do to clean it out, i was going to sell the tank and due to things beyond my control i ended up not selling Soooooo i managed to give the instruction leaflet away to the would of been new buyer, now i'm without the leaflet telling me what i need to do,


Please see piccy for the one i have


Thanks people

http/store2.yimg.com/I/worldpets_1795_67698908

 

[Navarre]

Is this filter already connected to your marine setup?

If so then i would not do anything more than clean out the sponges with used tank water. if you clean it more thourougly than this then you will do more hram than good by removing the beneficial bacteria that will help break down the amonnia.

 

[ak_47]

Ok man, thanks for the reply, so I’ll clean the sponges out with some water from the tank was just wondering when I should replace the white stone and the charcoal that’s inside it, I think I remember it saying that you need to replace this gradually and not do it all in one go.

 

[Navarre]

How long has this filter been running? The reason for a gradual change is because of the beneficial bacteria that will live in these bricks. If all of them were removed at once then the tank would suddenly lose 90% or more of its ability to break down the waste products of the fish. Even though manufacturers suggest that you change these bricks gradually, I have never done so yet on any of the tanks that have used this type of filtration. As long as the sponges are doing their job and stopping the bricks fromclogging up then i dont think there will be a problem. If you are using live rock also, you will find that the filter will eventually be shelter for pods and they will usually clean up any other forrm of particles of waste that get through.

Hope this helps

 

[eb0]

I have a fluval 404, you can clean it in fresh water without damaging the bacteria. just make sure you only replace 50% of the media at a time, thats all you have to worry about.

 

[Navarre]

Sorry but i would never rinse out salt water with fresh water. The osmosis will cause catastrophic problems with the bacteria levels.

This is why filters that have been used on freshwater tanks cannot be used for salt water, the salt will kill the bacteria off as the salt will rupture the cell walls of the bacteria.
Why take the chance when you can just as easily use old tank water that needs replacing anyway.

 

[ak_47]

ok man thank you so much!