How Often To Change Bio-balls In An Aquaclear Filter?

[KeeperOfFishyPeace]

Although I've been working hard on my 20g SW tank I have not forgotten about my 5 gal FW which I am now converting to a 10gal. The 10 gal. kit I got came with an AC 20 fiter. Would would you have to change the bio-balls time to time? I realize beneficial bacteria grow on the biological filtrarion (in this case balls) and would chaging the balls get rid of all the bacteria? I'd like to know this before I start the tank's cycle, with one orange or red common platy .

 

[Tolak]

You just need to rinse them in tank or other dechlorinated water. They are ceramic, and last almost indefinitely.

 

[raptorrex]

yeh just rinse them in tank water, and put them back in. they tend to be used in the course section of a filter, or to dampen sound in wet and dry filters. they have a large surface area, and are made of plastic, so the y should last indefinitely.

 

[KeeperOfFishyPeace]

oops, sry, its not bio-balls im talking about the Aquaclear Bio-Max inserts. you know the kind of chalky looking stuff, would i have to reoplace these?

 

[raptorrex]

oops, sry, its not bio-balls im talking about the Aquaclear Bio-Max inserts. you know the kind of chalky looking stuff, would i have to reoplace these?

well the instructions say every three months, but i cant see why it could not be back washed, and reused. though on my part. if a filter section needs regular replacement, its not really, any good to me, with the exception of the fine polish section. as you questioned, you will loose all the bacteria that inhabits the insert. also, and i stand to be corrected here, the stated surface aria, of 100 or so feet per 'sq, does not seem much, 1 gram of carbon has between, 400 and 1200sqm. bioballs claim 160 '2 per '2 bio bail claim over 250 '2.

 

[KeeperOfFishyPeace]

thx, any other opinions?

 

[Gazoo]

I'm still using the same BioMax media in all three of my tanks since July 2004. Like the sponges, they will last a long time before needing replacement.

 

[raptorrex]

I'm still using the same BioMax media in all three of my tanks since July 2004. Like the sponges, they will last a long time before needing replacement.

to know. guess you just rinse them then?

 

[Gazoo]

I'm still using the same BioMax media in all three of my tanks since July 2004. Like the sponges, they will last a long time before needing replacement.

to know. guess you just rinse them then?

Maybe once a month I'll swish the BioMax, sponges and filter floss lightly in old tank water. I probably don't even need to do it that often since my media hardly gets gunky.

I cringe when I think about all the dough I spent on media when I used to follow the recommended replacement schedule printed on the packaging.