Replacing Filter Pads

[Markw19]

I'm just about to get a Juwel Rio 240 aquarium, which comes with it's own internal filter.

The filter contains 1 white filter pad (for large particles), a black carbon pad, a green nitrate sponge pad, and then 3 blue sponges for the bacteria colonies.

Juwel say the white has to be replaced every week, the carbon pad every 4 weeks, the nitrate sponge every 6 weeks, and the other 3 (blue) pads between 3-6 months.

Looking at the official Juwel replacement pads, this will turn out quite expensive! With the carbon pads costing a couple of quid each, the nitrate sponge about £5, each of the blue sponges about £4 each, etc. etc.

I was just wondering if there were any third-party filter pads that will do the same thing (and work in the Juwel Standard H filter), for a fraction of the cost? Or do I have no option but to go with the official Juwel ones?

Thanks for any help.

 

[mark7616]

the white (poly pad) by a bag of poly wool its alot cheaper i replace mine every 2 weeks the carbon sponge about once a year and the other pads once a year i just rinse mine through with old tank water juwel will tell you to change them more frequent they want more money but it isnt really that frequent that i change mine people will say nitrate sponge dies off after 3 months but people have varied views. hope this helps.

 

[Markw19]

the white (poly pad) by a bag of poly wool its alot cheaper i replace mine every 2 weeks the carbon sponge about once a year and the other pads once a year i just rinse mine through with old tank water juwel will tell you to change them more frequent they want more money but it isnt really that frequent that i change mine people will say nitrate sponge dies off after 3 months but people have varied views. hope this helps.

So just normal filter wool (already got some!) will do the same job as the white pad?

You change the carbon sponge once a year?? Juwel say once a month

So you change the 3 blue pads and the green nitrate sponge once a year too? How often do you was the carbon/blues/nitrate sponges then?

 

[mark7616]

yeah normal filter wool will do. You dont actually need a carbon sponge some people take them out and get another blue one so i change mine anually yeah about every 6 months sorry i change my green pad and i stagger the blue ones over the year but change annually.

 

[morgan]

If you use a carbon sponge you must replace it every 4-6 weeks. The blue sponges can be cleaned or replaced. Just keep cleaning them (at the right time) until they lose their shape. The sponges are dear, I use the jumbo ones! I have just paid £16.98 for 2 carbon sponges (they are optional) and one Nitrate Removing Sponge (also optional). P&P was nearly £4 but the local shops don't stock the jumbo sponges. I could order them but I can't be bothered!

 

[Markw19]

yeah normal filter wool will do. You dont actually need a carbon sponge some people take them out and get another blue one so i change mine anually yeah about every 6 months sorry i change my green pad and i stagger the blue ones over the year but change annually.

Nice one. So white one every 2 weeks, black one up to a year, green one every 6 months, and each blue one a year each, but staggered so you change one, then the next say 4 months later, then the last 4 months after?

How long has your tank been running ok with these changes and what's your bioload like?

As you've got a Juwel then, do you have any extra aeration or powerheads? Obviously you've got the powerhead driving the Juwel filter, but do you have an extra powerhead in the opposite corner of the tank or anything? There doesn't seem to be much aeration just from the filter!

Thanks for the help.

 

[mark7616]

i have 2 i have just the standard internal on my rekord 96 but i have a 55g thats cycling to hold mbuna so i have an external witha spray bar angle your power head to aggitate the surface of the water this will allow enough air into your tank

 

[morgan]

Hi, I have the Rekord 96 as well. I bought the Juwel Venturi kit for mine. You can make your own but I don't know how. It only cost about £6 - 7 if I remember correctly.

 

[phlawed]

here is a short DIY for making filters without carbon in them
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=134753