Stop the Madness

[AquaBarb]

I had a 406 for about 15 years and it was a cracking filter. Nothing wrong with the media as supplied, so you could replace with a sponge or just use what you got for free. I can't remember if it originally came with carbon, but if it did you may as well put a sponge in its place - or filter foam, or even just spread out the ceramic more.

I recently purchased a fluval canister filter (405) and it did indeed come with 2 lots of carbon and 2 lots of bio rings. I took the carbon out and replaced it with bio sponges. I agree they are cracking filters.

 

[AbbeysDad]

I recently purchased a fluval canister filter (405) and it did indeed come with 2 lots of carbon and 2 lots of bio rings. I took the carbon out and replaced it with bio sponges. I agree they are cracking filters.

It seems to me that if your canister filter cracks it's gonna leak!!!

 

[Retired Viking]

I was at my LFS today picking up some plants. He has a whole shelf full of various filters but I noticed every one of his fish tanks has a under-gravel filter.

 

[FishGuest5123]

It's another misconception in the hobby. Novice hobbyists often don't understand that filters don't 'clean' the water, they just help is look clearer. Some buy (sometimes oversized) filters (or like above, multiple filters) thinking it will make the water more pure. I've seen some posts and videos of canister filter cleaning after running sometimes for months and they're like a cesspool! In the absence of routine maintenance, these filters merely trap detritus where it decomposes and pollutes the water....sometimes just becoming a nitrate factory. Much better to get the crud out of the system.

Dang it! Now I feel bad for skipping the filter when I cleaned the pond today. I admit that I only clean it once a month but I have to go turn the switch off at the fuse box in the front And was just too tired today. Now I have something else on my “To Do” list in the morning and it is freezing right now. Thanks, @AbbeysDad! JK

 

[AbbeysDad]

Dang it! Now I feel bad for skipping the filter when I cleaned the pond today. I admit that I only clean it once a month but I have to go turn the switch off at the fuse box in the front And was just too tired today. Now I have something else on my “To Do” list in the morning and it is freezing right now. Thanks, @AbbeysDad! JK

Another interesting fact about filters. Although they aid greatly in water clarity AND provide a convenient home for beneficial biology, water circulation, etc., water clarity is largely more esthetic than real value. I have seen a fair amount of underwater footage of tropical waters. Much of the water (especially following heavy rains) is so murky you wouldn't see your hand in front of your face....yet life abounds. That's not to say we want cloudy water, just that crystal clear water is likely more important to the viewer than the inhabitants.

 

[FishGuest5123]

My reason for weekly cleaning of the pond is to keep ammonia and nitrates down. My pond is only 150G and under a patio cover so plants won’t grow. Gotta keep my fish, even my pond fish, healthy.

 

[AbbeysDad]

My reason for weekly cleaning of the pond is to keep ammonia and nitrates down. My pond is only 150G and under a patio cover so plants won’t grow. Gotta keep my fish, even my pond fish, healthy.

ALWAYS good to get the 'crud' out! A potential problem with filters is they can promote neglect.

 

[FishGuest5123]

ALWAYS good to get the 'crud' out! A potential problem with filters is they can promote neglect.

Yeah, I neglect my filter. Lol!

 

[AbbeysDad]

Yeah, I neglect my filter. Lol!

I was more referring to the many video's I've seen of canister cleaning after being in service for months...and the YouTuber is almost bragging about how much crud was in the filter. The point overlooked is that all that 'stuff' (uneaten food, fish and plant waste) has decomposed and polluted the water. Often these are the folks that also only do water changes every two or three months of 20% or so!
(I'm on kindof a mission to raise awareness about water quality as there's just too much misinformation that's echoed over and over. I heard a good one yesterday.... "The internet creates too much second hand stupid".)