Juwel Filter Changes

[da7thson]

Hi Guys,

Might be a silly question but, the tanks been up and running now about 3 months and its getting time to look at changing the longer term filter pads in my Juwel aquarium.

I normally change the cotton top pad once a week as a minimum as it can gunk up and slow down the water flow through the pump on occasions and i've change the black carbon filter pad twice now (as per the instructions). I'm just wondering about the other pads though, is it really necessary to change the pads as often as the manual dictates as they are clean with no dirt build up and as far as i can tell from they reading, they are for bacteria build up not partical filtration, so can a pad "go off" so to speak and need a new one?

Cheers

 

[soybean]

I've had my juwel running 6 months and the only thing I have ever changed is the poly pads at the top. I give the others the occasional rinse in tank water maybe every 6 weeks. You don't need carbon unless you're removing meds, chemicals or tannins from the water. Sponges don't need changing unless they're falling apart - manufacturers only say they do so you buy more.

My mate has a juwel tank that's been running three years and has never changed any but the poly at the top.

 

[the_lock_man]

1) Don't bother changing the sponges until they fall apart - all you have to do is to regrow the bacteria you are removing. Just give them a quick swish in removed tank water to get rid of the other gunk - the bacteria cling on really tight!

2) Don't bother putting the carbon filter in - it's only really useful for removing medications - keep one in the cupboard for that situation, but after a week or 2, the carbon is useless, and it just becomes any old filter medium. But an expensive one.

 

[fishyfeet]

most of the sponges last years, including the top pad, give it a good squeese and rinse out in old tank water, never tapwater, and replace, dont use carbon sponges unless you have medication to remove.

 

[da7thson]

Cheers guys,

that seems a unanimous "save your cash" answer, which i like a lot Did seem really odd to have to change a non dirty filter which is used for bacteria growth.

thank again

Andy

 

[soybean]

I buy a massive roll of cheap poly filter off eBay and cut out little squares, use two at a time in the top and change one a week. Should last me years! I like to change the poly as it keeps the water clearer, once it gets clogged it's pretty useless.

 

[fishyfeet]

i got a huge wodge of filter floss made for pond filter and i tear a load of and place in my external, it gets filthy and full of sludge, i prob rinse it out every six months and replace once a year or less. I brought this stuff for about £20 4 years ago and ive still loads left. di