juwel filters

[laurasmithuk]

how often do i need to change sponges in juwel tank filter? do i change them all at once?

 

[daza]

I have had my Juwel tank a year now and have never changed the sponges. I sometimes replace the white floss when it gets too clogged up but normally just clean it in old tank water and same with the sponges.

Never replace all your filter media together because you will be removing the bacteria in them. If you do replace it then do one at a time.

edit...except the carbon sponge that is. I removed that after about 4 weeks (because the 'active' carbon in them only lasts about that long. I just replaced it with another normal sponge.

 

[laurasmithuk]

someone must know!!!

 

[daza]

If you want the official line (taken from the Juwel Rekord 70 manual) :

Care and maintenance of the JUWEL Filter System
1. Maintenance of the Filter System The JUWEL Filter System requires very little maintenance if you follow the following instructions.

– Replace the white filter wool pad once a week. If you have
large fish, then this may require changing slightly more
frequently. This will ensure that the filter sponges will not
be clogged by larger dirt particles.

– Replace the black activated carbon sponge every 4–6 weeks.
Again, if you have large fish then this may be to be more
frequent. This ensures that any chemical impurities from
the water will be removed. Please note that the chemicals
which are absorbed by the activated carbon contained in
the sponge, will be released to the water again if the
change intervals are too long.

– If the filter wool and the activated carbon sponge are
replaced as suggested, then it is sufficient to carefully
clean or replace the coarse blue sponges at 6–12 weeks and
the fine blue sponges at 3–6 months only.
Important – Cleaning or replacing the blue filter sponges
will affect the bacteria cultures. We recommend therefore,
that only one of the sponges at a time is cleaned or
replaced, never at the same time.

You do not need to worry about the liquid dirt
accumulating at the bottom of the filter housing. Normally,
this dirt contains important biological substances which
enhance the water quality.

Please do not worry if some dirt gets into the water during
the cleaning process causing cloudiness. After the filter
system is back in operation, the water will soon clear
again.

If you don't have a manual for yours then this is the Juwel Website

 

[Bloo]

I (now) hardly ever change my sponges. I just give them a weekly rinse when I siphon off some water but I do however completely replace the white filter floss weekly. Mine gets way too clogged and I can't be bothered spending minutes trying to wash a piece of floss.

 

[SarahBravo]

Ditto - i replace the white floss as needed, but only very, very occasionally replace the other sponges, when they are too manky to rinse clean, and only ever one at a time. I never run carbon normally, so have kept that unused in case I ever need to get meds out the tank etc. I bought loads of spare sponges when i got my first juwel, and then leant thru' experience you don't need to change them like they say!

 

[CFC]

Ive never replaced a juwel sponge in 5 years of having the juwel tanks, when they get really filthy i just clean them one at a time using the mains pressure from the kitchen tap to force the gunk out. Foam media only needs replacing when it litterally falls to pieces in your hands.

 

[iggy01]

As already stated, the blue sponges rarely need changing.

However, if you have a heavily planted tank, they will probably need cleaning more often than is suggested by Juwel.

 

[Arfie]

Not changed mine in the year or so I've had them. I give one of them a good squeeze and rinse when doing a water change, then do the other the next time.

When mine is too gunked up, I will follow CFC's advice .

Arfie

 

[Dubby]

Never changed mine in the last 3 years. I have replaced the carbon sponge with filter floss and this is washed every week and replaced. I only change this when it becomes so dirty that all the pores are blocked.

With the blue sponges, I wash them one at a time in old tank water and if that doesnt clear them then it goes under the tap