Various Media Changes In Juwel Bioflow 3.0

[Flubberlump]

I'm upgrading my tank to a Juwel Lido 120 ltr. It's been ordered and I'm collecting it later this week. The tank comes with a Juwel Bioflow 3.0 filter system. The question I have is regarding the many different types of filter media in it, and how often they should be changed. Here is a picture of the filter, and the different layers of media:

Now, according to Juwel, these different layers all have different purposes and need to be changed routinely, it reminds me of a car service schedule!
So, here's what Juwel say about the different layers, and how often they should be changed, starting at the top and going down in order to the bottom.

Pre-filter wool poly pad (white): The white filter wool acts as a Mechanical pre-filter, Removing large particles of dirt and excess food, which in turn Ensures that the other sponges do jot get clogged - change weekly

Carbon sponge (black): The black activated carbon sponge sits on top of the blue coarse filter sponges, and Removes chemical impurities from the water which cannot be removed biologically. change monthly

Nitrate removal sponge (green): The sponge contains micro-organisms, which will, once developed, reside inside the sponges and in the water. These micro-organisms feed off nitrates and Will reduce them significantly. The Juwel filtration systeof provides the optimum housing for these micro-organisms. change every 2 months

Coarse sponge (blue): The coarse blue filter sponges allow bacteria colonies to develop quickly, Cleaning the water which is now free from chemical impurities. change every 3 months

Cirax (White, inside cage): The highly porous filter material utilises it's extremely large surface area For effective biological cleaning and ensures the highest water quality. change yearly

2 x fine sponges (blue): The fine blue sponges and the bacteria cultures living in them, clean the water of even the smallest impurities. change yearly

So, in your opinion, do you think that these different medias really need changing this regularly? Or is this just a money making thing? Also, what do you think about the nitrate removing sponge? As far as I'm aware, nitrates aren't broken down by bacteria, is this correct?

A question regarding the carbon sponge; I know that carbon isn't usually used unless you want to remove meds or chemicals from the water. This tank is going to be aquascaped and fully planted using co2 and plant ferts. Will the carbon sponge remove the plant ferts from the water? Obviously it's no good to me if it does and I'll need to replace it with one of the other sponges.

Sorry about the essay! Any comments appreciated thanks in advance!

 

[IcQb]

I'm upgrading my tank to a Juwel Lido 120 ltr. It's been ordered and I'm collecting it later this week. The tank comes with a Juwel Bioflow 3.0 filter system. The question I have is regarding the many different types of filter media in it, and how often they should be changed. Here is a picture of the filter, and the different layers of media:
[...]

Now, according to Juwel, these different layers all have different purposes and need to be changed routinely, it reminds me of a car service schedule!
So, here's what Juwel say about the different layers, and how often they should be changed, starting at the top and going down in order to the bottom.

Pre-filter wool poly pad (white): The white filter wool acts as a Mechanical pre-filter, Removing large particles of dirt and excess food, which in turn Ensures that the other sponges do jot get clogged - change weekly

Carbon sponge (black): The black activated carbon sponge sits on top of the blue coarse filter sponges, and Removes chemical impurities from the water which cannot be removed biologically. change monthly

Nitrate removal sponge (green): The sponge contains micro-organisms, which will, once developed, reside inside the sponges and in the water. These micro-organisms feed off nitrates and Will reduce them significantly. The Juwel filtration systeof provides the optimum housing for these micro-organisms. change every 2 months

Coarse sponge (blue): The coarse blue filter sponges allow bacteria colonies to develop quickly, Cleaning the water which is now free from chemical impurities. change every 3 months

Cirax (White, inside cage): The highly porous filter material utilises it's extremely large surface area For effective biological cleaning and ensures the highest water quality. change yearly

2 x fine sponges (blue): The fine blue sponges and the bacteria cultures living in them, clean the water of even the smallest impurities. change yearly

So, in your opinion, do you think that these different medias really need changing this regularly? Or is this just a money making thing? Also, what do you think about the nitrate removing sponge? As far as I'm aware, nitrates aren't broken down by bacteria, is this correct?

A question regarding the carbon sponge; I know that carbon isn't usually used unless you want to remove meds or chemicals from the water. This tank is going to be aquascaped and fully planted using co2 and plant ferts. Will the carbon sponge remove the plant ferts from the water? Obviously it's no good to me if it does and I'll need to replace it with one of the other sponges.

Sorry about the essay! Any comments appreciated thanks in advance!

I have a Bioflow 8.0 in my vision 450.
keep in mind that a lot of the manufacturer's advice is brought to you with profit in mind...

I change my white filters when they're green/dirty. you will see quite easily when they're clogged. I clean them roughly every month (understocked tank for now )
I suggeest buying a big bag of filter wool and using that instead of new polypads. I keep the original polypads to go on top of the normal stack, then I top them of with some loosely packed filter wool.
It's easier to 'fish' out and replace

After 3 months i cut open the carbon pad in a way that it is now a sort of U-shaped 'bag' which i filled with fine normal aquarium bulk-carbon (cheaper!)

I rinse out the green nitrate-sponge every 3-4 months, same as the first blue sponge.

I NEVER touch the bottom rack. that's where my bacteria are. I do take it out and vacuum the bottom of the filter, but there's never been any dirt there.
(It could be a good idea to place some filter whool between the top blue sponge and the citrax basket. that way you have some seeding-filter wool for a new/quarantaine aquarium in the future)

A friend of mine took the entire top rack out and replaced it with loose filter whool. He cleans the bottom half in aquarium water (bacteria) and throws the top halve away (mechanical filtering).

EDIT: better read up on those denitrifyin bacteria . They DO remove nitrates from your tank.
http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denitrifying_bacteria
this is why you need places in your filter where water is barely flowing, because these bacteria only work in the soil OR stagnant/slow moving water.
Citrax or the tube variant form another company (cant remember the name if my life depended on it...)