My New Filter.

[techen]

So my filter has the following, Make sure to keep in mind it's the 1000U model so blank anything thats not for that model:

I was wondering, I was going to remove the carbon and phosphate pad in abit but what would I replace instead of it? Do I gain any benefit replacing these every 6 weeks because it sounds like a lot of money to burn in doing so.

 

[Flute]

I wouldn't bother with the carbon, you don't need it unless removing medications from a tank. I'd just replace with more ceramic media. As to the phosphate pads, I have no idea sorry! Never used them so I have no idea.

 

[Yanks15]

You could add more media(noodles) and filter floss to polish the water. I'm looking to get the Marineland c360 which is very much the same as yours and plan to do something like that. Let us know how you set it up and the results as far as water quality.


Thanks,
Steve

 

[Tuxyu3]

Yeah, i wouldn't bother with those pads unless you have a specific need and would replace them with ceramic media and filter floss.
Out of curiosity is this that Maidenhead Aquatics filter with the token 3 watts of UV light?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

...
Do I gain any benefit replacing these every 6 weeks because it sounds like a lot of money to burn in doing so.

Simply stated, YOU gain nothing, but they gain a repeat customer! The reason for replacing the carbon every 6 weeks is because it can only ADsorb (not ABsorb) for about that length of time. After that, the carbon is fairly useless. But, the truth is the carbon is useless unless you are removing meds from the tank. Its best to leave the carbon out until such time that you NEED to remove something from the water like meds. Just add ANYTHING, really and it will be fine. Ceramics, floss, sponge, whatever you have. Ceramics would be good because they never need to be replaced and offer a great place for bacteria to colonize (and are easily moved to another filter to cycle it quickly). ;-)


Don't replace ANY part of the filter as recommended by the manufacturer. They are trying to keep you buying their product. The reality is that you can just rinse in old tank water, and put it back into the filter. Replace only when the sponge, floss, etc. is no longer intact. Then, you can replace it a piece at a time, so that you don't lose too much of your bacteria at once. The rest of the colony will pick up the slack, and doubles about every 24 hours, if sufficient food is available.

 

[Tuxyu3]

I believe carbon just begins to host bacteria like a normal sponge if they are left in after they stop ABsorbing (i am going to deliberately say that for the rest of my life just to annoy you now

) chemicals. Though saying that i would not put the carbon in to start with and just save it incase you need it.

Edit: Just to clarify, i do in fact understand the difference between absorb and adsorb and in case you forget just say 'soaks up' to avoid looking silly

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You realize that they are completely different, right?

Just to annoy YOU. Here's a link describing the difference!

 

[techen]

Yeah, i wouldn't bother with those pads unless you have a specific need and would replace them with ceramic media and filter floss.
Out of curiosity is this that Maidenhead Aquatics filter with the token 3 watts of UV light?

Yes it is, The 1000U filter. Touch button UV and Prime, One of the best filters I've ever had. Really easily to use and gives you a ton of extra and all media comes with the filter. Everything you see in that book is what you get, well worth buying into.

Thanks for the quick replys, I'll remove both the carbon and the phosphate pad. I'll look into buying some more media and adding more filter floss to the basket.

By the way, if I removed them both. Could I still use them later on? They've only been in the filter for a few days.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yup.

 

[techen]

Yup.

Thanks, I'll store them away just incase I do need them. I just added a ton of filter floss into it for now should be fine

 

[Tuxyu3]

The only time I ever see phosphate pads used are in marine aquariums and even then they are not a must have, carbon however is a different matter.

Oh and don't forget to make sure they are properly dried out to avoid them turning weird or something.

PS. Don't worry, I'm not really going to go around using wrong words deliberately, i would look a right muppet!

 

[techen]

The only time I ever see phosphate pads used are in marine aquariums and even then they are not a must have, carbon however is a different matter.

Oh and don't forget to make sure they are properly dried out to avoid them turning weird or something.

PS. Don't worry, I'm not really going to go around using wrong words deliberately, i would look a right muppet!

Thank you Tuxyu, I'll dry them off and stuff them away for later. I didn't think the phosphate pad was at all useful for me and there's no need to have it in my filter at all. I guess some people like showing off they have extra stuff. I will keep the carbon for when using meds. I think it's time to get on ebay to see if I can grab some extra media for this basket too. Nothing wrong with more media!

:3

 

[Tuxyu3]

I like having extra ceramic personally as it makes me more flexible due to the fact I can easily seed other tanks without decimating my own. I know you will have the same amount of bacteria no matter how much you have but I just like the idea of it being spread out.

Also, don't you just love the name filter floss? It reminds me of flossing teeth because it makes things all clean and sparkly. What I am trying to say is that I like filter floss and more of it is never a bad thing! Don't buy the branded stuff though, it's a rip off, I just buy big bags on an well-known Internet auction site (rhymes with 'we-gay'). I'm actually pretty sure I'm allowed to say eBay to be honest, I just enjoy speaking like some kind of secret agent. Not that I know any secret agents who spend time discussing filter floss on Internet auction sites.

 

[techen]

I like having extra ceramic personally as it makes me more flexible due to the fact I can easily seed other tanks without decimating my own. I know you will have the same amount of bacteria no matter how much you have but I just like the idea of it being spread out.

Also, don't you just love the name filter floss? It reminds me of flossing teeth because it makes things all clean and sparkly. What I am trying to say is that I like filter floss and more of it is never a bad thing! Don't buy the branded stuff though, it's a rip off, I just buy big bags on an well-known Internet auction site (rhymes with 'we-gay'). I'm actually pretty sure I'm allowed to say eBay to be honest, I just enjoy speaking like some kind of secret agent. Not that I know any secret agents who spend time discussing filter floss on Internet auction sites.

Lol filter floss, This is my stock pile.

I never run out of it

And yea I just ordered some


300g Premium Bio Ceramic Rings Pond Filter Media

So I think am good to go for that top basket now.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The only time I ever see phosphate pads used are in marine aquariums and even then they are not a must have, carbon however is a different matter.

Oh and don't forget to make sure they are properly dried out to avoid them turning weird or something.

PS. Don't worry, I'm not really going to go around using wrong words deliberately, i would look a right muppet!

"Muppet"? Must be a UK thing?
Unless you mean... Kermit and Co.