Fluval U2

[Fishyglenn]

Please help.....I have purchased a new Fluval u2 filter for my tropical fish tank....everything has been running fine until I changed the Poly/carbon cartridge. The water in the tank seems to have gone cloudy and not crystal clear like normal...Have I put the cartridge in the wrong way? Have I put the cartridge in the wrong position?....I know the obvious answer is read the instructions but they have been thrown away.
Thank you.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Is it possible that the new cartridge just has some "new cartridge" dust on it? If so it should clear up soon. Did you rinse it before installing?

 

[Fishyglenn]

Yes I did rinse it.....that's what I thought at first!

 

[cambojnr]

It will just be from when you removed the dirty pads as they would of released dirt when you pulled them out, the downside of internals, but why are you replaceing the old ones as they contain all you bacteria? just give them a good rinse and rub down in tank water

 

[Fishyglenn]

It will just be from when you removed the dirty pads as they would of released dirt when you pulled them out, the downside of internals, but why are you replaceing the old ones as they contain all you bacteria? just give them a good rinse and rub down in tank water

It says on the box that the poly/carbon cartridge needs to be replaced every 2-4 weeks....it may just be a sales pitch!

 

[Gvilleguy]

It is a sales pitch. Filter media should be left in as long as possible...until it is falling apart. And just gently rinsed in a bucket of tank water every once in a while. In fact, if that flossy poly carbon cartridge is just holding carbon, I would recommend that you don't use it at all. Instead, buy a filter sponge (Fluval has sponges, too) and cut it to fit your filter. Those carbon cartridges tend to saturate and slow the water flow, and when you replace it the beneficial bacteria in the floss material are discarded!

 

[Fishyglenn]

It will just be from when you removed the dirty pads as they would of released dirt when you pulled them out, the downside of internals, but why are you replaceing the old ones as they contain all you bacteria? just give them a good rinse and rub down in tank water

It is a sales pitch. Filter media should be left in as long as possible...until it is falling apart. And just gently rinsed in a bucket of tank water every once in a while. In fact, if that flossy poly carbon cartridge is just holding carbon, I would recommend that you don't use it at all. Instead, buy a filter sponge (Fluval has sponges, too) and cut it to fit your filter. Those carbon cartridges tend to saturate and slow the water flow, and when you replace it the beneficial bacteria in the floss material are discarded!

Thanks for you help...I will take your advice.