The Puffer Forum

I started cycling my tank August 23rd. I had some problems in the being with my Ammonia not wanting to come down it would just remain high. I had to use a little bit of fish food which I added to a piece of stocking that hung in the tank for the added Ammonia because in our little 1/2 horse town the pure Ammonia was nowhere to be found. Once I removed the carbon in my filter then everything level out why I not sure. By September 15th everything was good to go for adding a fish everything was registering at 0 and the Nitrate was reading 5. Also just in case you are wondering I have a 15gal tank and one Figure 8 puffer.

My question is I have a Whisper hang on the back pump with a Carbon filled filter. Now after reading everything on here I am not sure when to change the filter or when to reintroduce the carbon back.
From what I have read the good bacteria lives on the filter so how do I keep the good bacteria and use a new filter?
The one that has been running on there now is starting to get clog up and not filtering the water as good as a new filter would.

Take the sponge pads out of the filter, and rinse them out in some tank water (don't use tap water or you'll likely kill your bacteria). Obviously don't rinse it out in your tank, just in some separated tank water,

As for carbon, I don't use any unless I want to get rid of medicine from the tank water. There are huge debates constantly going on as to whether you should have carbon in your tank at all times — I don't see the benefit, and given how quickly each carbon pad/bag becomes useless, it's an added expense I can do without.

Malabar Front wrote:Take the sponge pads out of the filter, and rinse them out in some tank water (don't use tap water or you'll likely kill your bacteria). Obviously don't rinse it out in your tank, just in some separated tank water,

As for carbon, I don't use any unless I want to get rid of medicine from the tank water. There are huge debates constantly going on as to whether you should have carbon in your tank at all times — I don't see the benefit, and given how quickly each carbon pad/bag becomes useless, it's an added expense I can do without.

I agree. Have always used carbon, but seems there is really no point unless removing meds etc. If you're concerned about rinsing all the sponge/s, then just rinse one now & leave the other till next week. (or cut it in half if there is only one in that filter). It took my tank 26 days to cycle properly, so sounds like yours was pretty quick!

Thanks for your help.
But ya'll keep mentioning sponges but it just a mesh filter that goes over a plastic frame like the one in this picture.

I'd definately get a different filter. Aquaclears work the best, IMO. They come with a reusable, rinsable sponge for mechanical filtration, along with BioMax ceramic rings, for biological filtration. I also add a layer of filter floss in between, to "polish" the water, crystal clear.

Pufferpunk wrote:I'd definately get a different filter. Aquaclears work the best, IMO. They come with a reusable, rinsable sponge for mechanical filtration, along with BioMax ceramic rings, for biological filtration. I also add a layer of filter floss in between, to "polish" the water, crystal clear.

You're not the only one! I'm always surprised how much dirt manages to get through the coarse sponges in my filter — the white micro pad I put in after the sponges is always filthy after a couple of weeks.

i have two aqua clears are you suggesting that you rinse the whole sponge or cut it in half and wash one every other cleaning and never clean the biomax stuff right ???

Get yourself back to your LFS and buy a big pack of fine particle pond filter (it's about 3' by 1'), cut it down to size, the type that I've got will split into 3 lengthways and has lasted 2 years and i've still got loads left. I put 2 bits in so i can change 1 and rinse the other

ok sounds good but u never clean the bio max rings right? or just rinse them in tank water?

SammyDee wrote:ok sounds good but u never clean the bio max rings right? or just rinse them in tank water?

I have always just rinsed mine in tank water occasionally cos they do get clogged after a while. Be interesting to know what others do with them - I guess the manufacturer will suggest regular changing!!

thats wat i really hate is you think by now the filter companys would suggest something better than replacement. And if needed, it should explain to ppl how to keep some bacteria to prevent a accidental cycle. it makes me want to invent something better. My LFS never cleans or changes them either theyre all attached to the tank with moss and other plant life its cool and really natural but im not sure how beneficial it is? i think the companys should already have two sponges regardless so like yall said above rinse one replace the other or vice versa.But then again the world revolves around money so they prolly dont care about accidental cycles cause then you run out and buy all their crap which barely works correcty. even with gravel filter too that stuffs wack cuz all the cleaning involved i wonder if i took an extra filter and extended it into to gravel bed if it would do the samething or better with less cleaning. i also see alot of really nice DIY filters online at youtube with great cleaning power and cheaper to maintain be sure to check some out or if u have any suggestions lemme know

What I do with all my tanks is keep multiple filters running. That way when I do need to replace the filter floss it doesn't all get replaced at the same time. I never replace sponges or ceramic rings. Those just get a good rinse off in some tank water.

Like you said SammyDee, the companies just want more money. They want you to replace filter pads and ceramic rings and what not all the time because then you have to go buy more of them and that gives them money.

I've never had issues rinsing everythng in tap water.

It probably depends on where you live and what they put in your tap water. I know some people who have no trouble with tap water for rinsing filters or live food, but I killed a whole batch of blackworms by rinsing them in tap water, and those buggers are tough, too.

Are you sure it wasn't HOT water? I killed a batch by doing that.