Juwel Filter Sponges

[Squid]

Now, try to resist the debate as to whether these filters are any good or not, as it is what i am using to start off with, and I have heard a lot of the pros and cons before..

I have just started my fishless cycle, which i may help along its way with a squeeze from a low bio-load filter from a small inherited tank, and maybe a few doses of bactinettes. Once thats all done, then i will need to put a maintenance schedule into place. Below is the recommended maintenance schedule that comes in the instructions for juwel filters. I am interested to know if you follow this schedule, or would recommend something a little differet, such as cleaning (in tank water) the blue sponges more frequently.

Also, the diagram shows the poly pads on top of the filter baskets, but ther may be issues with it floating up a bit.. do any of you put it in the top of the filter baskets... and.. i thought they would have designed it so that i could get the filter baskets out, without having to detach the powerhead.. or am i doing something wrong?

Poly Pad

JUWEL Filtermedia! Made to fit each Filter System! Use the filter baskets for your filter system to make maintenance even easier! The poly pads clean the water of large dirt particles ensuring that these do not get into the filter sponges clogging them and preventing the bio - cultures to work. Change the Poly pad in your filter system once a week!


Carbon Sponge

JUWEL Filtermedia! Made to fit each Filter System! Use the filter baskets for your filter system to make maintenance even easier! The active carbon sponge cleans the water of all chemical impurities by absorbing them in its active carbon. Consequently, these chemcial impurities will not effect the bacteria - cultures inside the blue sponges. If the carbon sponge is left in the filter too long, it can release the chemicals again into the water. Consequently, we recommend to replace the carbon sponge every 4 weeks.


Nitrate Removal Sponge

JUWEL Filtermedia! Made to fit each Filter System! Use the filter baskets for your filter system to make maintenance even easier! The nitrate removal sponge assists in enhancing the water quality in your aquarium. Replace it every 6 weeks and see the difference in plants and your fish!!!


Filter Sponge Coarse

JUWEL Filtermedia! Made to fit each Filter System! Use the filter baskets for your filter system to make maintenance even easier! The coarse and the fine blue filter sponges house the most important bio - cultures, which are responsible to effectively clean the water. You should clean or replace one sponge at a time every 3 - 6 months to maintain the right biological balance in your aquarium.


Filter Sponge Fine

JUWEL Filtermedia! Made to fit each Filter System! Use the filter baskets for your filter system to make maintenance even easier! The coarse and the fine blue filter sponges house the most important bio - cultures, which are responsible to effectively clean the water. You should clean or replace one sponge at a time every 3 - 6 months to maintain the right biological balance in your aquarium.

Cheers
Squid

 

[Dubby]

I have discarded the carbon sponge and I dont have a nitrate sponge. The sequence of sponges I use (top to bottom) is filter wool, polypad, coarse blue, fine blue. The whole assembly is quite tight fitting so there is no room for the sponges to float around.

I wash the filter wool & polypad every week in tap water. I replace them when they are in poor shape and cannot be cleaned adequately.

I clean the coarse and fine sponges perhaps once a month (alternately) in old tank water. I have never replaced these sponges in the last 3 years.

 

[morgan]

Hi, I have a Rekord96 (currently unused) and a new Rio 300. I use the sponges exactly as in the manual. You can change the polypad without removing the powerhead ( I still unplug it though, just in case) but to change the sponges you do have to remove the powerhead. I was surprised to see that the powerhead for new tank looks the same size as on the much smaller tank. Also on this tank when I plug the powerhead back in it works first time everytime. So far. If you have high waste producing fish you may want/need to change the polypad more often. PS Not criticising what other people do, but you wanted individual experiences I guess.

 

[chrismr]

We have 3 juwel rekord tanks.

We tend ot wash the poly pads for a couple of weeks rather than replacing every week.

two of them use the standard setup that is recommended.

however, on one I have taken out the fine blue sponge from the bottom sponge holder, and put it in with the sponges in the top holder, minus the carbon sponge. This was to create room in there for the peat i added.

I replace the carbon sponges in the others every 2 months or so, but they are not even really necessary.

I have not replaced any of the other sponges. Honestly, I think the only reason they would recommend replacing the others as often as they did is simply to make more money....

 

[morgan]

It says in the manual you can rinse the blue sponges. I used to replace them until I twigged (after quite a long time!) I must have wasted a lot of money! I have never managed to re-use the polypad. I would if I could.

 

[Fella]

with mine I dont bother using the green sponges, or the black carbon ones unless I'm specifically removing a medication. I like them because I can clone my other juwel tanks with them easily.

 

[Squid]

Im using the black one during the fishless cycle, as the bogwood im just about to put in is still giving off small amounts of tannins that i would like to clear up..

Squid

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I have discarded the carbon sponge and I dont have a nitrate sponge. The sequence of sponges I use (top to bottom) is filter wool, polypad, coarse blue, fine blue. The whole assembly is quite tight fitting so there is no room for the sponges to float around.

I wash the filter wool & polypad every week in tap water. I replace them when they are in poor shape and cannot be cleaned adequately.

I clean the coarse and fine sponges perhaps once a month (alternately) in old tank water. I have never replaced these sponges in the last 3 years.

I use the same system as you, although i rarely use the filter wool/polypad sponge as my tanks dont really need it and its difficult to find replacement filter wool/polypad sponges for me.

 

[jimbooo]

yours is a rio180 isn't it squid. in mine i do the following schedule, follow this and you wont have any problems.

first when you are next in the LFS buy a massive bag of poly wool. the bags you buy for pond filters. it's the exact same stuff used in the white top pad and will cost you £3 for a 2 foot bag. it's great stuff to have as you can change the top pad as often as you like. my bag is 18 months old and is still about 2/3 full with a lot of wastage.

when you do a water change before doing anything to the main tank remove the powerhead (yes you cant get the baskets out without doing this) and put in a bucket. then remove all the filter sponges not forgetting the second basket at the bottom and place them in a bowl of tank water to keep them wet.

then place your syphon in the filter box and suck out all the crap.

then give each sponge 2 squeezes in the bowl of tank water. squeeze the top sponge first, then the second and so on but dont change the water (yes it'll look like mud by the end) put all the sponges back in the correct order and cut off a new piece of poly wool for the top. be as generous as you like as you'll have a ton of it.

then take a stroll to the kitchen and pull the powerhead apart and give a quick brush with an old toothbrush not forgetting to pull the impeller out and get into the grooves.

put it all together again, powerhead back in tank then do your water change as normal.

that will add about 5 mins to your water change time but save you endless hassle with clogging filters etc..

i always do this hence why i'm not a "i hate crappy juwel tanks" gang member.

got that lot? (sorry if i've repeated anything i'm a bit busy and haven't read the other replies)

edit: if you forget and try to do this in a 1/2 filled tank you wont be able to get the syphon started in the filter box as the water level will be too low. unless you fancy a gob full of poo that is. you never know it takes all sorts.