Filtration material

They say there is never a stupid question, so I'll ask...

My Boyu aquarium has a submersible pump which sucks the water up, and drops it into a catchment area in the hood of the aquarium. In this catchment area is where I have my filtration material. The water first filters through a fine moss like substance, then through carbon chips, and then finally through a coarser moss type stuff, and finaly pours into the tank. (I believe the water pouring onto the water surface is what aerates the water, and not the bubbles coming up from the air stone I have put in).

My question is:

Is this the right material in the filter? or should I be adding other stuff? (I've heard people mention calcium chips/marbles)
How often should I change/rinse/clean this filtration?

 

Filter

Hi Zoom

See my last reply to you about the nitrate cycle at the end i put in a bit on the filter stuff..

Get rid of the carbon - IMO it should only be used when you want to flush medicines from the water.

The other stuff is fine just clean it about once evry month by squeezing it into your siphon water.. Thata all you need to do. Do NOT clean it in chlorine water from the tap as you may then kill off all the Good bacteria in it.

 

Hi Zoom! I have a corner unit with the same filtering system, water is also sucked up by a submersabile pump and spread by a T piece over first the mechanical filter sponge the black one then through, half a bag of filter wool on each side (have 2 catchment areas) then through Eheim substrate Pro 1 ltr 500g on each side then through a thin white filter mat and finally into the tank in a light water fall. I do have a bit of Carbon about half a cup in each of the filters because my tank is slightly over stocked. Once i week i change the filter wool and give the rest a very light rinse in the water i have siphoned from my tank into a bucket.

 

Yeah, my Jebo has much the same setup.

Ceramic rings at the bottom (so it stays submerged), with filter matt on top.

 

Should I be changing 100% of the filter wool when I do, or should I only be changing 50%. I thought it was bad to change everything?

 

Change no more than 50% of your filter wool at a time and then I personally would not do that on a weekly basis, rather once a month in order to ensure that you have sufficient bacteria going at all times.

 

That's what I been doing. I actually don'e even change it... just squeeze it out in tank water once every 2 weeks, and add if necessary.

Was just curios, Fish Fantasy's comment sounded like she changed her's completely

 

Sorry no i don't change all the filter media completely but you can change the filter wool completely once a week or every two weeks depending on the build up in the filter if the filter wool looks brown and green it's dirty throw it away it's only there for mechanical filtration not really for biological bacteria build up that's what my Eheim sustrate pro or bio rings is for(invest in some, good stuff) this cultivates the good bacteria in the many microscopic pores. The black mechanical filtration pads and white,green filtration pads you rinse gently in tank water in a bucket and put back in the filter.

If you don't change the filter wool the stuff that looks like cotton wool the water will become a little brown or green and the the filter will not be able to polish the water anymore, the small particals just flow back into the tank or clog the filter and the water builds up and the filtration process is no longer optimised.

 

Point taken Fantasy. Tx

 

Good to know you changed over to Substrat Pro...

Zoom, you should seriously consider getting some of the Eheim Substrat Pro in your filter with some type of mechanical filter media to remove large particles.

 

No problem I have one so I know how to make it run at it's optimal level thanks to Dolphins advice (Sorry Dolphin) months ago i haven't had a days problem with it! lol!!!! and my fish swim around in crystal clear water like they are living in the Maldieve Islands.

Oh and it's a little over stocked too with no canister filter or sump! Impressive!!!!!

 

Best mechanical filter media for an MTS sufferer is batting - the stuff can be found in fabric shops - get the puffy one that is used for upholstery - cheap and very affective.

Careful about the source - don't want something that has been sprayed with bug spray or exposed to rat poison.

 

My mom is a quilter and has TONZ of batting... BUT the problem is that 90% of it is all treated against mites and bugs, so not suitable for tank.

Thanks for the advice Dolphin.. I actually have got Cermic chips, filter floss, sponge and Purigen in my filter, and have never had any problems with my tank. Nitrates, Nitrites and Ammionia levels are all at fish-lovers-dream level.

 

Zoom, I dont know what your ceramic chips are and the purpose it serves in your filtration setup but this would be the item I'd suggest you swop for Substrat Pro - in response to your original question. Noted that your levels are spot but you'll be amazed at the overall health of your tank with Substrat Pro. It creates a massive surface area and will ensure stability in your system. If placed correctly (ie no debris build up in it) you would never need to clean it and this would ensure continuous biological filtration. You then only need to clean out the mechanical filter media or simply replace it if its batting or filter wool... you have a serious advantage with the purigen in there coz thats going to help your current filter media to deal with nitrate, nitrite and ammonia....

 

I THINK ceramic chips work on a similar principal to Subtrat Pro. It's basically where the bacteria grows. It is suppose to increase the surface area in the filter, and has tiny pores all over it.

Do you supply/sell Substrate Pro? Could you quote on (postage incl to JHB)?

I've read some conflicting storied on leaving Purigen permanently in the filter. Some people say because it cleans the water so well, the bacteria dies... your feeling?

 

I doubt that could happen - it implies that purigen would create a semi-sterile environment and thats just not possible.

Substrat Pro 250ml is R65. PM to order.

 

Sorry Zoom for asking my 2cents but while we are on the subject. i have as you know a 3foot tank with oscars not to proud but thats that and i have 3 filters in the tank one hangover and two canister filters to keep the water clean. in my hangover the one that hangs on the outside of the tank i have a sponge and filter wool and bandage in the other compartment for my bacteria. after a week my filter wool goes a dark brown and i rinse it in the tank water but after 2 weeks the filter doesn't seem to filter the water that well so i replace 80% of the filter wool. is there any thing else i could do to not have to replace so much with out having to buy another filter?

 

Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe some other oscar people can help... I know Sauran keeps oscars... you could ask him for his advice. Maybe Dolphin could reply?
As far as I remember from reading, Oscars generally need VERY good filtration, cause they are messy fish

 

Thank you. I meant asking a question on your thread. i didn't want to be rude. I will def ask Sauron

 

No worries Wito... it's not MY thread... it's a thread I started about filtration... anyone can 'interrupt'