My New Filter.

[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!

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

It is a UK thing, Means uh... Retarded or something alike

 

[eaglesaquarium]

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.

I agree with this... The ceramics are more convenient, IMO, for seeding a new filter than the other stuff... just too messy. THe ceramics can fill just about any shape and won't clog it up, even if you "fill" the space with it. The water still flows easily. I usually put it into a Filter floss "pocket" to make it easy to rinse during filter "cleaning".

It is a UK thing, Means uh... Retarded or something alike

I actually love conversing with folks from the UK on here. It shows me the differences in dialect from one side of "the pond" to the other!

 

[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.

I agree with this... The ceramics are more convenient, IMO, for seeding a new filter than the other stuff... just too messy. THe ceramics can fill just about any shape and won't clog it up, even if you "fill" the space with it. The water still flows easily. I usually put it into a Filter floss "pocket" to make it easy to rinse during filter "cleaning".

It is a UK thing, Means uh... Retarded or something alike

I actually love conversing with folks from the UK on here. It shows me the differences in dialect from one side of "the pond" to the other!

I like the idea of wrapping it in filter floss to make a pocket like thing. Never thought of that.

I also agree, The US has some funny words or at least are funny to me that you guys say

 

[eaglesaquarium]

;-)

 

[Tuxyu3]

I love it when you come across a completely new word you have never heard of before used in a sentence because I can learn what it means and go use it in real life to confuse people

 

[lee420]

it seems like eveyone agrees on not liking carbon filter media

but what makes it able to absorb meds that other media cant? and does that also mean its able to filter harmful chemicals that other media cant? i really dont know, just trying to get a better understanding of media types

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Activated carbon has the ability for chemical compounds to be able to "stick" to the surface of the carbon. Once all those "bond sites" are filled, its just like any other filter media.

The issue with the carbon is really the expense of replacing it all the time. Most filter media can last for years (sometimes decades or longer!). Some filter manufacturers make "cartridges" that contain carbon, so that you can't remove it. So, you just leave it. But, it doesn't really serve a purpose unless you are clearing meds.


It certainly could remove other chemicals in the tank, but what are they and how did they get there? There is really no reason to use the carbon for 99% of the time in the aquarium.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Activated carbon has the ability for chemical compounds to be able to "stick" to the surface of the carbon

I think there's a name for that, pretty sure it begins with an A, there might be a D in there somewhere as well

 

[eaglesaquarium]

lol... I intentionally didn't use the word for it there!

 

[Tuxyu3]

it seems like eveyone agrees on not liking carbon

Not so much disliked, more that it's a bit like medication in itself, pointless and a waste of money if not needed.
I can not even begin to describe how tempted I was to compare it to treating people who caused their own ailments (alcohol poisoning and such things), does that make me a bad person?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Not that... just your refusal to refer to the process as adsorption rather than absorption.

 

[lee420]

so the biomax ball thingies (that sit in the bags in aquaclears and in top basket of fluval c3) is what you guys replace your carbon with?

and thank you for good answers (as usual)

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You can replace the carbon with whatever you want/have. I use ceramics, because they are very mobile.

I use these:

Do you mean things like these:

I use the rings because they are cheaper and smaller. ;-) and will last forever... Not to mention the pores in the ceramics are a perfect home for bacteria.

 

[lee420]

look on amazon and search "biomax" the first result is the 500g fluval biomax rings. those would be the same thing right?

and if so is that a decent price?

and just rinse them as you would any other filter?

 

[techen]

look on amazon and search "biomax" the first result is the 500g fluval biomax rings. those would be the same thing right?

and if so is that a decent price?

and just rinse them as you would any other filter?

Biomax rings are fine, Wash them in tank water and you're fine. Not sure on avg price but they shouldn't cost that much at all.