On Tue, 7 Jun 2005 09:04:49 -0700, lgb wrote:

In article ,
says...
I have my own home grown attitude about filtration. I believe the
filtration is really a strainner, that is it holds larger solids, but
the constant flow of water erodes the larger solids down to smaller
sizes that then continue through the filter media. If so, why filter?
I think the smaller particles are more efficiently reduced by the
bacteria in the tank.

Then what the heck is that junk I squeeze out of filter every month or
so? Even if it's all bacteria, which is doubtful, the filter makes a
great place for them to grow :-).


I said "strainer," the larger particles do collect, but I am saying
over time erosion reduces the particles size and they can then flow
through the media. However, the erosion isn't fast enough to prevent
the media from clogging and I go through the cleaning process.

The only value to my theory is to avoid fear of spilling the larger
pieces back into the tank. The stuff isn't toxic, it just needs to be
processed by the bacteria to turn into something else that is
ecologically useful. I know that the original filter media which
comes with the power filter was more porous and I could see small
particles floating in the tank water. I changed to a finer media and
the water appears clear, but I bet there are just smaller particles
that I can't see. Now I pull the cartridges without turning off the
pump so that residue on the bottom of the power filter is moved back
into the tank while I am cleaning the media, then I put the cartridges
back in. The stuff will get back in to the filter with time and
slowly be eroded or biodegraded.

Are you of the opinion that all the waste is captured by the media and
stays there until you clean the media? The media itself is passive,
right?

dick