Filter wash vs change?

[Chris]

Sorry, another dumb newbie question...

The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely through
its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or just
wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in use
(presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?


--

Chris
http://www.choxnpinz.com

[NetMax]

"Chris" > wrote in message
ews.com...
> Sorry, another dumb newbie question...
>
> The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
> indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely through
> its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or just
> wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in
> use
> (presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?
>
>
> --
>
> Chris
> http://www.choxnpinz.com

wash mildly, preferably in a bit of water removed from the tank.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Richard Blincoe]

rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you need to
replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the new
filter pad for a few days....

Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water following
completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has a
very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.

Richard

"Chris" > wrote in message
ews.com...
> Sorry, another dumb newbie question...
>
> The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
> indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely through
> its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or just
> wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in use
> (presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?
>
>
> --
>
> Chris
> http://www.choxnpinz.com

[Elaine T]

Richard Blincoe wrote:
> rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
> bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you need to
> replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the new
> filter pad for a few days....
>
> Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
> specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water following
> completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has a
> very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.
>
> Richard
>
> "Chris" > wrote in message
> ews.com...
>
>>Sorry, another dumb newbie question...
>>
>>The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
>>indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely through
>>its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or just
>>wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in use
>>(presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?
>>
>>
>>--
>>
>>Chris
>>http://www.choxnpinz.com
>
>
>
Out of curiousity, what kind of filter is it? Some have inserts that
can be reused for years.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Gfishery]

"Richard Blincoe" > wrote in message
...
> rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
> bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you need to
> replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the new
> filter pad for a few days....
>
> Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
> specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water following
> completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has a
> very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.

The carbon granules in my Whisper 5-15 filter cartridge started becoming
very tiny pieces as I washed the filter periodically. Maybe this filter was
not intended to be washed.
These tiny carbon pieces started clogging the filter, so I took all the
carbon out, washed the filter very thoroughly in tap water (goodbye carbon
specks and good bacteria :( , stuffed the filter mesh pocket with cotton
wool, and the retrofitted filter looks like it is doing an excellent job of
keeping the water in my 10 gallon tank with 3 fancy goldfish crystal clear.

Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like I
did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
nitrosomonas in my filter?

[Dick]

On Mon, 16 May 2005 23:29:03 -0400, Chris
> wrote:

>Sorry, another dumb newbie question...
>
>The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
>indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely through
>its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or just
>wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in use
>(presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?

I would leave it alone. Some of the water is going through the filter
pad. You could also remove the charcoal. I quit using charcoal many
months ago. Part of the reason was water flow. I wasn't worried
about cycling as the tank was well established, but I found rinsing
the filter wasn't returning the flow to normal, so I removed the
charcoal and got full flow again. End of charcoal...

Since your concern is not losing your cycle I would remove the
charcoal and use a bucket of tank water to rinse what will come off
and for sure continue to use the old filter. I have new filters in my
stock of stuff, but I haven't changed filters for a long time, except
in one tank where I am using a very fine filter media. Those pads
have reached a point where I couldn't clean them. It was wasted
effort though, the new pads restricted the flow within days, so now I
just rinse those pads every couple of weeks to get the best flow I
can. The 75 gallon tank has two Penguin 330 power filters. My latest
procedure is to clean 2 of the total 4 cartridges at a time. I don't
even power off the filter. There is some solid waste that goes back
into the tank while I clean the 2 cartridges, but that clears quickly
when I put the cartridges back.

Once your tank is established, in my experience, you can wash the
filter media with tap water. (your tap water may not allow this) In
my experience there is plenty of bacteria elsewhere in the system,
especially the gravel, to keep the cycle. I have, in addition to the
75 gallon I have been talking about, 3 ten gallon tanks and one 29
gallon tank. I wait for the inlet overflow to clean those except a 10
gallon hospital tank. It has no gravel, so I have learned to be more
careful about the filter cleaning. I would lose the cycle when I
cleaned its filter. Since the 3 ten gallon tanks all have the same
filter, I now wait until I clean one other than the hospital tank,
then after a few days I move that filter cartridge to the hospital
tank and then clean the hospital tank cartridge and put it in the
other 10.

Actually the 29 gallon has a proprietary filter system and gets its
own special treatment. Keeping the tank cycle is a worthy project and
I can only hope you get enough ideas to give you a procedure which
will work for you. It took me a year to work out the hospital tank
procedure and two years to be satisfied with a procedure for the 75
gallon tank. Fishing is definitely challenging.


dick

[Ali Day]

> Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like I
> did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
> nitrosomonas in my filter?

The tank has bacteria on all surfaces you'll most probably find the tank did
a cycle but over a much shorter time line.
Before I bought a second filter I had one rena XP3 doing filtering a 160gal
tank. I did a mass clean of the filter and the tank cycled over something
like 24 - 36 hours hours.
I now have double the filtration necessary for my tank and now can
completely blitz one filter a month.

[David J. Braunegg]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 16 May 2005 23:29:03 -0400, Chris
> > wrote:
>
>>Sorry, another dumb newbie question...
>>
>>The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
>>indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely through
>>its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or just
>>wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in use
>>(presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?
>
> I would leave it alone.

Wouldn't this depend on the type of filter? If the water in my Penguin Mini
starts pouring out the overflow at the intake side, then there is not enough
water going through the "wool" filter to spin the bio-wheel. When this
happens, I clean the replaceable filter and, if that does not restore enough
water flow to turn the bio-wheel, I replace the filter.

Dave

[steve]

Chris wrote:
> Sorry, another dumb newbie question...
>
> The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
> indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely
through
> its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or
just
> wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in
use
> (presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?
>

Chris, As others have suggested, I recommend rinsing the filter
material in a bucket of tank water. Don't wanna kill off any good
bacteria you've been working to build up. Another note... On some
types of filters, my Aqua Clear 300 for one, when the sponge gets
clogged it starts to push up on the basket. More than once, the basket
has pushed up the lid a bit and the water level in the filter sump
reached the top and gently trickled out the back of the filter.
Something to keep an eye on with the AQ filters.

steve

[Dick]

On Tue, 17 May 2005 12:25:19 -0400, "David J. Braunegg"
> wrote:

>"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>> On Mon, 16 May 2005 23:29:03 -0400, Chris
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>Sorry, another dumb newbie question...
>>>
>>>The water in my filter is starting to pour back over the intake side
>>>indicating it is becoming clogged. My 29-gallon tank is barely through
>>>its nitrogen cycle. Should I change to a new filter & charcoal or just
>>>wash off the old filter of the solid contaminants and put it back in use
>>>(presumably with its bacteria somewhat intact)?
>>
>> I would leave it alone.
>
>Wouldn't this depend on the type of filter? If the water in my Penguin Mini
>starts pouring out the overflow at the intake side, then there is not enough
>water going through the "wool" filter to spin the bio-wheel. When this
>happens, I clean the replaceable filter and, if that does not restore enough
>water flow to turn the bio-wheel, I replace the filter.
>
>Dave
>
I got tired of cleaning my filter to keep the bio wheels turning. My
solution was to remove the bio wheels. My other tanks do fine without
bio wheels, so why bother in this one? I removed the wheels about 4
months ago and see no problem, but why would I expect a problem when
only one of 5 tanks had wheels in the first place?

dick

[Dick]

On Mon, 16 May 2005 22:27:34 -0700, "Gfishery" >
wrote:

>
>"Richard Blincoe" > wrote in message
...
>> rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
>> bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you need to
>> replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the new
>> filter pad for a few days....
>>
>> Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
>> specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water following
>> completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has a
>> very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.
>
>The carbon granules in my Whisper 5-15 filter cartridge started becoming
>very tiny pieces as I washed the filter periodically. Maybe this filter was
>not intended to be washed.
>These tiny carbon pieces started clogging the filter, so I took all the
>carbon out, washed the filter very thoroughly in tap water (goodbye carbon
>specks and good bacteria :( , stuffed the filter mesh pocket with cotton
>wool, and the retrofitted filter looks like it is doing an excellent job of
>keeping the water in my 10 gallon tank with 3 fancy goldfish crystal clear.
>
>Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like I
>did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
>nitrosomonas in my filter?
>

I think we all get brain washed that bacteria live only in a dirty
filter along with the certainty that tank water will go toxic without
charcoal. The only tank I have a problem with has no gravel, so I do
handle that tank differently. Charcoal in the cartridges would get
dirty and would not come clean enough to restore water flow. I no
longer use charcoal at all. (I would put some in if there was some
unusual circumstance)

I think the filter merely holds the solid waste, and allows erosion to
reduce the waste particle size. I further think the small particles
return to the tank where their reduced size allows the bacteria to
continue the biologic transformations. With this reasoning, I can see
that only a portion of biologic transformation happens at the filter,
thus a thorough cleaning has little effect so long as the tank has
cycled.

dick

[Gfishery]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 16 May 2005 22:27:34 -0700, "Gfishery" >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Richard Blincoe" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
> >> bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you need
to
> >> replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the
new
> >> filter pad for a few days....
> >>
> >> Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
> >> specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water
following
> >> completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has
a
> >> very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.
> >
> >The carbon granules in my Whisper 5-15 filter cartridge started becoming
> >very tiny pieces as I washed the filter periodically. Maybe this filter
was
> >not intended to be washed.
> >These tiny carbon pieces started clogging the filter, so I took all the
> >carbon out, washed the filter very thoroughly in tap water (goodbye
carbon
> >specks and good bacteria :( , stuffed the filter mesh pocket with cotton
> >wool, and the retrofitted filter looks like it is doing an excellent job
of
> >keeping the water in my 10 gallon tank with 3 fancy goldfish crystal
clear.
> >
> >Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like
I
> >did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
> >nitrosomonas in my filter?
> >
>
> I think we all get brain washed that bacteria live only in a dirty
> filter along with the certainty that tank water will go toxic without
> charcoal. The only tank I have a problem with has no gravel, so I do
> handle that tank differently. Charcoal in the cartridges would get
> dirty and would not come clean enough to restore water flow. I no
> longer use charcoal at all. (I would put some in if there was some
> unusual circumstance)
>
> I think the filter merely holds the solid waste, and allows erosion to
> reduce the waste particle size. I further think the small particles
> return to the tank where their reduced size allows the bacteria to
> continue the biologic transformations. With this reasoning, I can see
> that only a portion of biologic transformation happens at the filter,
> thus a thorough cleaning has little effect so long as the tank has
> cycled.

Maybe that's why Whisper sells its replacement cartridges with the charcoal
in separate packets (in the same kit), and you can combine them if you want
to.

I'd also like to add that the cotton wool I used was great at mechanical
filtration, but only for a couple of weeks.
It eventually clogged, and the texture looked very different: maybe natural
cotton (100% cellulose?) fibers don't fare too well in a
ammonia/nitrate/nitrite environment for extended periods.

I think I'll just replace filter cartridges, like the manufacturer
recommends, when they clog, since it seems to have no noticeable adverse
effect on the nitrosomonas vs. free ammonia balance in my tank.

It seems to me that a better way to design a water filter for a fish tank
would be to use a centrifugal force (the whirlpool effect), rather than
passing water straight through a fine mesh of some kind.
Vaccuum Cleaner manufacturers have jumped on this bandwagon, and I believe
the same principle holds under water when trying to remove suspended
particles.

Anyone know of any such filters?
Or should I try to apply for a patent? :)

[Scott]

"Gfishery" > wrote in message
eenews.net...
>
> "Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Mon, 16 May 2005 22:27:34 -0700, "Gfishery" >
>> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Richard Blincoe" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
>> >> bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you
>> >> need
> to
>> >> replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the
> new
>> >> filter pad for a few days....
>> >>
>> >> Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
>> >> specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water
> following
>> >> completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has
> a
>> >> very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.
>> >
>> >The carbon granules in my Whisper 5-15 filter cartridge started becoming
>> >very tiny pieces as I washed the filter periodically. Maybe this filter
> was
>> >not intended to be washed.
>> >These tiny carbon pieces started clogging the filter, so I took all the
>> >carbon out, washed the filter very thoroughly in tap water (goodbye
> carbon
>> >specks and good bacteria :( , stuffed the filter mesh pocket with cotton
>> >wool, and the retrofitted filter looks like it is doing an excellent job
> of
>> >keeping the water in my 10 gallon tank with 3 fancy goldfish crystal
> clear.
>> >
>> >Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like
> I
>> >did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
>> >nitrosomonas in my filter?
>> >
>>
>> I think we all get brain washed that bacteria live only in a dirty
>> filter along with the certainty that tank water will go toxic without
>> charcoal. The only tank I have a problem with has no gravel, so I do
>> handle that tank differently. Charcoal in the cartridges would get
>> dirty and would not come clean enough to restore water flow. I no
>> longer use charcoal at all. (I would put some in if there was some
>> unusual circumstance)
>>
>> I think the filter merely holds the solid waste, and allows erosion to
>> reduce the waste particle size. I further think the small particles
>> return to the tank where their reduced size allows the bacteria to
>> continue the biologic transformations. With this reasoning, I can see
>> that only a portion of biologic transformation happens at the filter,
>> thus a thorough cleaning has little effect so long as the tank has
>> cycled.
>
> Maybe that's why Whisper sells its replacement cartridges with the
> charcoal
> in separate packets (in the same kit), and you can combine them if you
> want
> to.
>
> I'd also like to add that the cotton wool I used was great at mechanical
> filtration, but only for a couple of weeks.
> It eventually clogged, and the texture looked very different: maybe
> natural
> cotton (100% cellulose?) fibers don't fare too well in a
> ammonia/nitrate/nitrite environment for extended periods.

Natural fibers will rot in that type of environment. Try using something
synthetic - like polyester fiber that is used to stuff pillows. You can buy
huge bags of it at Wal-mart for next to nothing.

---scott

[Elaine T]

Gfishery wrote:
> "Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>On Mon, 16 May 2005 22:27:34 -0700, "Gfishery" >
>>wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Richard Blincoe" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>>rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
>>>>bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you need
>
> to
>
>>>>replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the
>
> new
>
>>>>filter pad for a few days....
>>>>
>>>>Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
>>>>specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water
>
> following
>
>>>>completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has
>
> a
>
>>>>very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.
>>>
>>>The carbon granules in my Whisper 5-15 filter cartridge started becoming
>>>very tiny pieces as I washed the filter periodically. Maybe this filter
>
> was
>
>>>not intended to be washed.
>>>These tiny carbon pieces started clogging the filter, so I took all the
>>>carbon out, washed the filter very thoroughly in tap water (goodbye
>
> carbon
>
>>>specks and good bacteria :( , stuffed the filter mesh pocket with cotton
>>>wool, and the retrofitted filter looks like it is doing an excellent job
>
> of
>
>>>keeping the water in my 10 gallon tank with 3 fancy goldfish crystal
>
> clear.
>
>>>Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like
>
> I
>
>>>did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
>>>nitrosomonas in my filter?
>>>
>>
>>I think we all get brain washed that bacteria live only in a dirty
>>filter along with the certainty that tank water will go toxic without
>>charcoal. The only tank I have a problem with has no gravel, so I do
>>handle that tank differently. Charcoal in the cartridges would get
>>dirty and would not come clean enough to restore water flow. I no
>>longer use charcoal at all. (I would put some in if there was some
>>unusual circumstance)
>>
>>I think the filter merely holds the solid waste, and allows erosion to
>>reduce the waste particle size. I further think the small particles
>>return to the tank where their reduced size allows the bacteria to
>>continue the biologic transformations. With this reasoning, I can see
>>that only a portion of biologic transformation happens at the filter,
>>thus a thorough cleaning has little effect so long as the tank has
>>cycled.
>
>
> Maybe that's why Whisper sells its replacement cartridges with the charcoal
> in separate packets (in the same kit), and you can combine them if you want
> to.
>
> I'd also like to add that the cotton wool I used was great at mechanical
> filtration, but only for a couple of weeks.
> It eventually clogged, and the texture looked very different: maybe natural
> cotton (100% cellulose?) fibers don't fare too well in a
> ammonia/nitrate/nitrite environment for extended periods.
>
> I think I'll just replace filter cartridges, like the manufacturer
> recommends, when they clog, since it seems to have no noticeable adverse
> effect on the nitrosomonas vs. free ammonia balance in my tank.
>
> It seems to me that a better way to design a water filter for a fish tank
> would be to use a centrifugal force (the whirlpool effect), rather than
> passing water straight through a fine mesh of some kind.
> Vaccuum Cleaner manufacturers have jumped on this bandwagon, and I believe
> the same principle holds under water when trying to remove suspended
> particles.
>
> Anyone know of any such filters?
> Or should I try to apply for a patent? :)
>
>
Ponders use them.
http://www.skippysstuff.com/biofiltr.htm

They're way ahead of aquarists in filtration because ponds are so much
more challenging to keep clean.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Dick]

On Sat, 21 May 2005 07:24:08 -0700, "Gfishery" >
wrote:

>
>"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>> On Mon, 16 May 2005 22:27:34 -0700, "Gfishery" >
>> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Richard Blincoe" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
>> >> bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you need
>to
>> >> replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the
>new
>> >> filter pad for a few days....
>> >>
>> >> Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
>> >> specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water
>following
>> >> completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has
>a
>> >> very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.
>> >
>> >The carbon granules in my Whisper 5-15 filter cartridge started becoming
>> >very tiny pieces as I washed the filter periodically. Maybe this filter
>was
>> >not intended to be washed.
>> >These tiny carbon pieces started clogging the filter, so I took all the
>> >carbon out, washed the filter very thoroughly in tap water (goodbye
>carbon
>> >specks and good bacteria :( , stuffed the filter mesh pocket with cotton
>> >wool, and the retrofitted filter looks like it is doing an excellent job
>of
>> >keeping the water in my 10 gallon tank with 3 fancy goldfish crystal
>clear.
>> >
>> >Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like
>I
>> >did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
>> >nitrosomonas in my filter?
>> >
>>
>> I think we all get brain washed that bacteria live only in a dirty
>> filter along with the certainty that tank water will go toxic without
>> charcoal. The only tank I have a problem with has no gravel, so I do
>> handle that tank differently. Charcoal in the cartridges would get
>> dirty and would not come clean enough to restore water flow. I no
>> longer use charcoal at all. (I would put some in if there was some
>> unusual circumstance)
>>
>> I think the filter merely holds the solid waste, and allows erosion to
>> reduce the waste particle size. I further think the small particles
>> return to the tank where their reduced size allows the bacteria to
>> continue the biologic transformations. With this reasoning, I can see
>> that only a portion of biologic transformation happens at the filter,
>> thus a thorough cleaning has little effect so long as the tank has
>> cycled.
>
>Maybe that's why Whisper sells its replacement cartridges with the charcoal
>in separate packets (in the same kit), and you can combine them if you want
>to.
>
>I'd also like to add that the cotton wool I used was great at mechanical
>filtration, but only for a couple of weeks.
>It eventually clogged, and the texture looked very different: maybe natural
>cotton (100% cellulose?) fibers don't fare too well in a
>ammonia/nitrate/nitrite environment for extended periods.
>
>I think I'll just replace filter cartridges, like the manufacturer
>recommends, when they clog, since it seems to have no noticeable adverse
>effect on the nitrosomonas vs. free ammonia balance in my tank.

I have 3 Whisper Juniors and have yet to replace the filter, I just
keep on washing them (no charcoal of course). My two larger tanks, 29
and 75, have different filters. I use the frames, but bought a fine
filter media online at Fostersmith.com. I just cut the bulk material
to fit then pull it out when the water flow slows and brush the stuff
off the surface under running water. I use luke warm water, but in
the large tanks I have never lost the cycle.

Part of the question must include how clear you want your water. I
strive for "crystal clear" as I find the fish and plants are more
vivid.

dick
>
>It seems to me that a better way to design a water filter for a fish tank
>would be to use a centrifugal force (the whirlpool effect), rather than
>passing water straight through a fine mesh of some kind.
>Vaccuum Cleaner manufacturers have jumped on this bandwagon, and I believe
>the same principle holds under water when trying to remove suspended
>particles.
>
>Anyone know of any such filters?
>Or should I try to apply for a patent? :)
>

[Dick]

On Sat, 21 May 2005 12:58:02 -0400, "Scott" <smaxell1{at}hotmail.com>
wrote:

>
>"Gfishery" > wrote in message
eenews.net...
>>
>> "Dick" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Mon, 16 May 2005 22:27:34 -0700, "Gfishery" >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> >
>>> >"Richard Blincoe" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>> >> rinse it in tank water, not tap water (treated tap water will kill the
>>> >> bacteria in it) and reuse it until they are falling apart. If you
>>> >> need
>> to
>>> >> replace it rinse it in tank water and place in the filter ahead of the
>> new
>>> >> filter pad for a few days....
>>> >>
>>> >> Many here advocate the removal of the carbon and only using carbon for
>>> >> specific purposes such as removal of medications from the water
>> following
>>> >> completion of treatments. I personally do not use carbon. Carbon has
>> a
>>> >> very limited lifetime and needs to be replaced frequently.
>>> >
>>> >The carbon granules in my Whisper 5-15 filter cartridge started becoming
>>> >very tiny pieces as I washed the filter periodically. Maybe this filter
>> was
>>> >not intended to be washed.
>>> >These tiny carbon pieces started clogging the filter, so I took all the
>>> >carbon out, washed the filter very thoroughly in tap water (goodbye
>> carbon
>>> >specks and good bacteria :( , stuffed the filter mesh pocket with cotton
>>> >wool, and the retrofitted filter looks like it is doing an excellent job
>> of
>>> >keeping the water in my 10 gallon tank with 3 fancy goldfish crystal
>> clear.
>>> >
>>> >Can someone explain why I am not seeing an increase in free ammonia like
>> I
>>> >did when my tank was cycling, even though I just wiped out all the
>>> >nitrosomonas in my filter?
>>> >
>>>
>>> I think we all get brain washed that bacteria live only in a dirty
>>> filter along with the certainty that tank water will go toxic without
>>> charcoal. The only tank I have a problem with has no gravel, so I do
>>> handle that tank differently. Charcoal in the cartridges would get
>>> dirty and would not come clean enough to restore water flow. I no
>>> longer use charcoal at all. (I would put some in if there was some
>>> unusual circumstance)
>>>
>>> I think the filter merely holds the solid waste, and allows erosion to
>>> reduce the waste particle size. I further think the small particles
>>> return to the tank where their reduced size allows the bacteria to
>>> continue the biologic transformations. With this reasoning, I can see
>>> that only a portion of biologic transformation happens at the filter,
>>> thus a thorough cleaning has little effect so long as the tank has
>>> cycled.
>>
>> Maybe that's why Whisper sells its replacement cartridges with the
>> charcoal
>> in separate packets (in the same kit), and you can combine them if you
>> want
>> to.
>>
>> I'd also like to add that the cotton wool I used was great at mechanical
>> filtration, but only for a couple of weeks.
>> It eventually clogged, and the texture looked very different: maybe
>> natural
>> cotton (100% cellulose?) fibers don't fare too well in a
>> ammonia/nitrate/nitrite environment for extended periods.
>
>Natural fibers will rot in that type of environment. Try using something
>synthetic - like polyester fiber that is used to stuff pillows. You can buy
>huge bags of it at Wal-mart for next to nothing.
>
>---scott
>
Online Fostersmith.com carries bulk filter material.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113808

dick