Why The Heck Change The Filter Cartridge?

[The chilly dipper]

so you spend all your time getting a nice baccie filled filter but according to the manufacturer of bio orb, you need to change the sponge every 2 months lol.

this has to be a joke!!

there is little hope for people like me and other newbies if we were to listen to the companies that make certain aquarium equipment.

what do you guys think?

 

[StandbySetting]

They do it to make money, they have no interest in the fish.

 

[brian2708]

yes

 

[The chilly dipper]

disgusting attitude towards animals that is!!
just to make money!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You are correct. THe filter makers have very little interest in the welfare of your fish, but much more interest in you buying their product. That's why so many of them are now going to "biowheels". You can then change the filter cartridges, without getting rid all of your bacteria. I still don't plan on discarding my cartridges very often, but the Penguin I have has extra slots for a more gradual change over of cartridges to allow the new one to be colonized before discarding the old one.


I believe the main issue is that a properly running tank requires very little in the way of expenses. You need to do water changes, complete some tests, etc. But, after the initial investment in equipment, you don't need to buy anything new for YEARS. That doesn't help their bottom line. The real money is in making dechlorinators, test kits, and food. Filters, heaters, lights, etc. are a one time purchase every 10-20+ years. (Unless folks decide to upgrade their tanks.) There isn't even a lot of money in selling the fish, if they are properly cared for, since most aquarium species will live for 5-10 years (sometimes longer) if properly cared for), not to mention that if kept in proper conditions, they will also readily breed (different species more easily than others).



***Make sure to only rinse your filter out in OLD TANK WATER, not under the tap. Tap has chlorine which will kill your bacteria.***

 

[The chilly dipper]

You are correct. THe filter makers have very little interest in the welfare of your fish, but much more interest in you buying their product. That's why so many of them are now going to "biowheels". You can then change the filter cartridges, without getting rid all of your bacteria. I still don't plan on discarding my cartridges very often, but the Penguin I have has extra slots for a more gradual change over of cartridges to allow the new one to be colonized before discarding the old one.


I believe the main issue is that a properly running tank requires very little in the way of expenses. You need to do water changes, complete some tests, etc. But, after the initial investment in equipment, you don't need to buy anything new for YEARS. That doesn't help their bottom line. The real money is in making dechlorinators, test kits, and food. Filters, heaters, lights, etc. are a one time purchase every 10-20+ years. (Unless folks decide to upgrade their tanks.) There isn't even a lot of money in selling the fish, if they are properly cared for, since most aquarium species will live for 5-10 years (sometimes longer) if properly cared for), not to mention that if kept in proper conditions, they will also readily breed (different species more easily than others).



***Make sure to only rinse your filter out in OLD TANK WATER, not under the tap. Tap has chlorine which will kill your bacteria.***

hmm yes that makes sense to me now. i wont be cleaning my filter yet but when i do, i understand , all is need is the removal of debris and poop ect but am i right in saying leave the brown gunk in the filter?

i like your filter idea do you own an orb ?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

hmm yes that makes sense to me now. i wont be cleaning my filter yet but when i do, i understand , all is need is the removal of debris and poop ect but am i right in saying leave the brown gunk in the filter?

i like your filter idea do you own an orb ?

No, I do not own an orb. I have a 10 gallon rectangular tank (from my Dad - he hasn't had it up and running for almost two decades!), and am planning on upgrading to a 56 gallon tank once I am done traveling this summer.



The brown gunk in the filter could be two different things. It could be mulm (which is waste that you don't want) or biofilm (which is what the bacteria produce and very much needs to be there!). Post a picture and someone will give you advice on which it is.

 

[The chilly dipper]

hmm yes that makes sense to me now. i wont be cleaning my filter yet but when i do, i understand , all is need is the removal of debris and poop ect but am i right in saying leave the brown gunk in the filter?

i like your filter idea do you own an orb ?

No, I do not own an orb. I have a 10 gallon rectangular tank (from my Dad - he hasn't had it up and running for almost two decades!), and am planning on upgrading to a 56 gallon tank once I am done traveling this summer.



The brown gunk in the filter could be two different things. It could be mulm (which is waste that you don't want) or biofilm (which is what the bacteria produce and very much needs to be there!). Post a picture and someone will give you advice on which it is.

right ill get on that and post tommorow thank you

 

[Davo86]

From a personal point of view I would say why the heck buy an ornament/fashion accessory when for a little less money you could buy a fully functioning fish tank,

However from Biorbs point of view the actual cartridge is only half of the filter, with much of the bacteria forming in the porous lava rock which also acts as the substrate, meaning that when you do actually change the cartridge there are still colonies of bacteria present inside the tank. Also the cartridge AFAIK contains carbon and zeolite to allow for chemical filtration which effectively eradicates toxins instead of allowing bacteria to naturally control them.

Also note that zeolite is only useful for a period of around 2 months

 

[TwoTankAmin]

There is a difference between bio-media and mechanical media. One you need to keep as it is a great host for bacteria the other is designed to clog to remove solid waste, is not a good host for bacteria and should be thrown out and replaced regularly.

A sponge confuses the issue as it does both jobs. Now almost all bio media will eventually clog from mechanical waste and will need to be replaced eventually. However, most of it, especially sponges, can be rinsed out to remove mechanical wastes and allow the bacteria to remain.

In filters with a bio-wheel and a cartridge (often filled with chemical media), the jobs are basically separated. You keep the wheel and replace the cartridge. If you do not use chemical media, such as carbon etc., then you can, in many cases rinse and reuse the mechanical media. I actually bleach clean/soak my Emperor 400 carts for reuse. (Note I have either removed the carbon or else get special ones that have no carbon. Carbon and bleach are a bad mix.)

For all of my AquaClear filters where I use two sponges I also use filter floss. Every week I rinse the sponges to help promote good flow but replace the floss.

 

[The chilly dipper]

From a personal point of view I would say why the heck buy an ornament/fashion accessory when for a little less money you could buy a fully functioning fish tank,

However from Biorbs point of view the actual cartridge is only half of the filter, with much of the bacteria forming in the porous lava rock which also acts as the substrate, meaning that when you do actually change the cartridge there are still colonies of bacteria present inside the tank. Also the cartridge AFAIK contains carbon and zeolite to allow for chemical filtration which effectively eradicates toxins instead of allowing bacteria to naturally control them.

Also note that zeolite is only useful for a period of around 2 months

the tank was only 50 pounds so i just had to buy it but it has got me into this fish keeping business big time.

sowhat your saying is that the carbon and zeolite are pointless?

 

[The chilly dipper]

There is a difference between bio-media and mechanical media. One you need to keep as it is a great host for bacteria the other is designed to clog to remove solid waste, is not a good host for bacteria and should be thrown out and replaced regularly.

A sponge confuses the issue as it does both jobs. Now almost all bio media will eventually clog from mechanical waste and will need to be replaced eventually. However, most of it, especially sponges, can be rinsed out to remove mechanical wastes and allow the bacteria to remain.

In filters with a bio-wheel and a cartridge (often filled with chemical media), the jobs are basically separated. You keep the wheel and replace the cartridge. If you do not use chemical media, such as carbon etc., then you can, in many cases rinse and reuse the mechanical media. I actually bleach clean/soak my Emperor 400 carts for reuse. (Note I have either removed the carbon or else get special ones that have no carbon. Carbon and bleach are a bad mix.)

For all of my AquaClear filters where I use two sponges I also use filter floss. Every week I rinse the sponges to help promote good flow but replace the floss.

i understand everything you are saying but why change the floss. if they increase the suface area of your tank for good bac?
cant you leave them in ?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

No- the floss is designed to trap particulate matter. Trapping means the longer you have it, the more it clogs. the bacteria wants flow not clogging to bring it food and oxygenated water. So the bacteria will mostly be on the bio media where a better flow is maintained. For me that is the sponge not the floss. It could also be the filter cartridge as opposed to the bio-wheel.

There is a trade-off in bio media between maximizing the surface area for a given volume vs making the spaces so small that they will quickly get clogged by solid waste.

One last note, if you compare the amount of floss to the amount of biomedia, I would gues there is about 15-20 times the bio as there is floss in my setups.

 

[OldMan47]

The only time I will change any filter media is when it literally falls apart. Until then it gets a simple rinse in used tank water and goes right back where I got it. Anything that removes biological filtration from one of my tanks is simply unwelcome.

 

[The chilly dipper]

The only time I will change any filter media is when it literally falls apart. Until then it gets a simple rinse in used tank water and goes right back where I got it. Anything that removes biological filtration from one of my tanks is simply unwelcome.

i think that is the attitude i will take on the matter also, when i get my tropical setup.
lol which one are we more concerned about the fish or the bacs??

it seems like we are looking after more than 1 living organism in out tanks lol
we are rearing bacteria too haha