Really Dumb But Nessecary Filter Question

[pkppv]

I have 4 different HOB filters and i still dont know how they really work, which is sad. I understand the nitrogen cycle very well, but i dont really see how these HOB filters fit into it. Yea, one has a bio wheel, which houses beneficial bacteria for breaking ammonia to nitrite to nitrate which is removed by water changes and a little bit by plant. This, and all the others, also have activated carbon inside a cotton replacable cartridge. I replace these cartridges when they get clogged up, but if this media is maturing by clogging, wouldnt replacing it be an awful idea!?! I just dont understand these types of filters... Trickle filters and sponge filters make so much more sense. Thanks for your patience with such a dumb question.

 

[OldMan47]

HOB filters are very simple. You develop a bacterial colony on all parts of the filter. That includes the filter cartridge and the bio-wheel. When you toss the cartridge, you lose a significant part of the biological filtration in the tank. Instead, an experienced fish keeper will only replace the cartridge when it starts to fall apart and can no longer be used. The cartridge in some of my own filters can be taken apart and only the felted bag and carbon are replaced. In one of those, I remove and clean the cover until it starts to fall apart, then I stuff it into a new cover so that I can retain the biologically active old filter bag inside my new cartridge.

This is a picture of one that can be taken apart to better clean it.

The separate clip, bag and frame can be seen below.

The carbon supplied with the replacement covers is such a trivial quantity that I simply don't use it. It would be completely exhausted in a day or two anyway.

 

[pkppv]

So the carbon is basically without purpose? One of my filters has a replacable bag, but what is best to do with the others? Just clean them off some when they clog?

by the way, thank you so much!!!

 

[KISSfn]

The best use for brand new carbon is to remove medications from the water after the treatment of an illness is complete. When your filter is clogged swish the material in a bucket of tank water and reuse it.

 

[pkppv]

wow, this is much simpler than i ever thought!!!

 

[tyler88]

I have a hang on back filter with the bag filter like above, and a sponge insert. When i clean out the filter i just clean the bag and leave the sponge alone to avoid removing all the bacteria

 

[Aqua Tom]

So the carbon is basically without purpose? One of my filters has a replacable bag, but what is best to do with the others? Just clean them off some when they clog?

by the way, thank you so much!!!

Carbon is a chemical filter where as the rest of your media is a biological filter. The biological stuff houses the nice bacteria we need, the chemical stuff removes, well chemicals, such as medication or fertilizer you may have added to the tank for whatever reason.
So the chemical filter media is only usefull in a very specific way, where as the biological stuff is the one that we need to keep a happy, healthy tank.

Tom

 

[eaglesaquarium]

So the carbon is basically without purpose? One of my filters has a replacable bag, but what is best to do with the others? Just clean them off some when they clog?

by the way, thank you so much!!!

Carbon is a chemical filter where as the rest of your media is a biological filter. The biological stuff houses the nice bacteria we need, the chemical stuff removes, well chemicals, such as medication or fertilizer you may have added to the tank for whatever reason.
So the chemical filter media is only usefull in a very specific way, where as the biological stuff is the one that we need to keep a happy, healthy tank.

Tom

Some of it is also a mechanical filter and holds big pieces of stuff that the filter picks up (old leaves from plants, occasion extra food, fish poo, etc.). But the most important part of course is the biological - without that your fish can die quickly from ammonia poisoning.

 

[pkppv]

ITs just so hard for me to leave my filter brown and dirty...idk...it seems wrong..but if you all insist, then i trust you guys.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Just give it a swish in old tank water every couple weeks or so. DON'T clean it in tap water or remove it and completely replace it. It will destroy your bacteria and you will be poisoning your fish with ammonia. So, instead of helping your fish, you will actually be KILLING them. I know that sounds harsh, but it is completely accurate.


I am using the same filter material I got when I bought my tank - back in April when I got back into the hobby. Others on this board are using the same material that they have been using for YEARS. I was given old filter media. I kept that in place for about 3 months. Then I slowly started removing it and letting the new material I had take over the biological filtration. The old stuff has been gone now for about 2 months. Keep the same media until it starts to deteriorate. Then add some new stuff, and cut up the old stuff. The new stuff will be colonized by the old stuff, and you can slowly (over a period of weeks) start to remove the old stuff and turn it over to the new material.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I do it similarly to OldMan47; when the old floss filter starts to fall apart, I just rinse it and stuff it into a new insert. That way I know the bacteria colony is still going strong.

I also have sponges, ceramic donuts and biowheels throughout my filter systems. So, if the floss back completely deteriorated I'd still have those other, permanent colonies.

 

[pkppv]

thanks for the input! I have "ceramic donuts" in all of my filters too, so i guess thats good!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

So do I... I put the ceramics into a pocket of floss that didn't actually match my new filter. These will NEVER need to be replaced, unless you steal some to seed a new filter.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Exactly. And if you do steal some, just put some new ones in there.