I know im supposed to change the white filter once a week, and the carbon filter every few months, but what is the story with the other green and blue filters..? My LFS said dont change them unless they crumble when cleaning them.?
Bex thanks for all the info that answers a few questions i have been meaning to ask! I take it the 'floss' is available from the lfs and doesn't affect any treatments?
Ah but Inch, Juwel recommend weekly replacement of the white filter floss. On the small Juwel filters it's only a few mm thick anyway so not much lost and the flow can get seriously restricted on the smaller ones if they get clogged.Wait a minute here.................
All by itself, filter floss has long been, and probably still is, the best media available for holding beneficial bacteria. Each tiny strand is a place that this bacteria can cling to. It's also the least expensive. It's made of 100% polyester fiber and will last a long, long time if it is occasionally rinsed out in used tap water.
Filter floss not only helps biological filtration, it does a great job of mechanical filtration. As the soil accumulates between the strands, the spaces between them becomes smaller and it will trap even very small particles of dirt in the water. It's only when it gets too clogged and the water flow through it slows down, that it even needs to be rinsed out.
As for the dirt that gets trapped, well it has already been processed by the beneficial bacteria, so it's not like it was fresh poop you are handling when you clean it. Cleaning out a cat litter box is much worse, IMHO!