"Dick" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 4 Feb 2005 00:18:08 +0000, Paddy
wrote:


In an internal filter the old filter pads have deteriorated to the point
where after cleaning, the filter slows to a trickle after just two days.
The filter has two pads. I have left the original two pads in and
placed a new pad between them so the bacteria will have time to build up
in the new pad. My question is - how long does it take for the bacteria
to build up in the new pad. I intend to replace the old ones one by one.
Thanks for any feedback.

I have 5 tanks: 10 to 75 gallons, with different kinds of filters. I
just change filter material as needed, that is when the flow is too
slow. By the way, I found the commercial cartridges that contain
charcoal, have to be changed more often than a filter with no
charcoal. I have stripped charcoal out of all the frames and just use
the filter material over. A couple of months ago I added a finer
filter material to the leading edge of the frame. It slows the water
flow (excess flow over the intake), but keeps the particles so small
they are not visible. Filters remove nothing, they hold stuff until
errosion reduces the size to one that passes the filter.

I mention the charcoal because it perplexed me. Why couldn't I wash
the filter cartridge and reuse it. On a hunch, I removed the charcoal
and found I could clean the filter media. Several people had
commented on the limited value of charcoal, so I experimented and
found no problems so removed charcoal from all the tanks' filters.
One less hassle.

dick

I'm definitely a penny pincher, but I do a similar thing. I wash brush my
filter mats in tank water with my fingers. I even squeeze out the poly
batting I also add to the Penguin 330 baskets. If I finally change out a
filter mat I will leave the charcoal in for the first go round, figuring it
has some value. Then I remove as much as I can on subsequent cleanings. I
am unaware if the pieces that remain have any detrimental value, other than
slightly impeding the flow.
Bill