Really dumb questions on filter

I inherited a "corner" filter. It is just an empty plastic box that sits in
the corner and you fill it with "filter wool" and activated carbon. An air
pump is attached to draw the water through it.

How long does the filter wool last before it needs to be changed?

Do you clean the filter wool and re-use it or do you just chuck it away each
time?

Do they work? Is it worth using?

Jim

"Jim Morcombe" wrote in message
...
I inherited a "corner" filter. It is just an empty plastic box that
sits in
the corner and you fill it with "filter wool" and activated carbon. An
air
pump is attached to draw the water through it.

How long does the filter wool last before it needs to be changed?

Depends on the bio-load in the tank. Could be weeks or months.

Do you clean the filter wool and re-use it or do you just chuck it away
each
time?

Depends on the material. The soft cottony stuff gets thrown away. The
stuff you buy in a sheet and cut to size with scissors gets cleaned and
reused, a few times (depending on how dirty you let it get).

Do they work? Is it worth using?

This was the mainstay of aquarium filtration for many many years. It was
this, UGFs or a clunky expensive canister filter from Germany. Then they
invented a HOB box filter, which still ran on airstones. Yes *sigh* they
work. Is it worth using?.. depends on your application. Makes a good
quarantine/fry tank filter. Their drawback is that somewhere, you have a
noisy little airpump to drive it.

NetMax

Jim

Jim Morcombe said

How long does the filter wool last before it needs to be changed?

Do you clean the filter wool and re-use it or do you just chuck it away each
time?

Don't use filter wool, instead use sponge. This will last ages (a year
or more) and it certainly should not be thrown away as this is were your
friendly bacteria will be living. You just clean it as required in old
tank water - I do mine at the same time as a water change.


Do they work? Is it worth using?

Yes and yes - depending of course on your set up.


--
Capital letters were always the best way of dealing with things you
didn't have a good answer to. - Douglas Adams -

Can you fill it with small pieces of sponge or do you have to somehow cut
the sponge to size?

Jim

Freda wrote in message
...
Jim Morcombe said

How long does the filter wool last before it needs to be changed?

Do you clean the filter wool and re-use it or do you just chuck it away
each
time?

Don't use filter wool, instead use sponge. This will last ages (a year
or more) and it certainly should not be thrown away as this is were your
friendly bacteria will be living. You just clean it as required in old
tank water - I do mine at the same time as a water change.


Do they work? Is it worth using?

Yes and yes - depending of course on your set up.


--
Capital letters were always the best way of dealing with things you
didn't have a good answer to. - Douglas Adams -

Actually, it's quite easy to cut the sponge to fit. They also make a
floss which is in sheets and meant to be cut to fit. Cut the center out
(for your riser pipe) and then cut from the center to the outside (so you
slip it around the riser, and not over). You do not need a perfect fit,
but it should be snug, and any gaps will lower the operating efficiency.
Depending on the material, cut it slightly larger (about 1/4 to 1/2")
than the size actually needed.

You would not fill it with small pieces. These sponges are open cell, so
the water is supposed to travel through them. Water going around them
would greatly reduce their efficiency as a mechanical filter, and
significantly reduce their biological capability (imo).

NetMax

"Jim Morcombe" wrote in message
...
Can you fill it with small pieces of sponge or do you have to somehow
cut
the sponge to size?

Jim

Freda wrote in message
...
Jim Morcombe said

How long does the filter wool last before it needs to be changed?

Do you clean the filter wool and re-use it or do you just chuck it
away
each
time?

Don't use filter wool, instead use sponge. This will last ages (a
year
or more) and it certainly should not be thrown away as this is were
your
friendly bacteria will be living. You just clean it as required in
old
tank water - I do mine at the same time as a water change.


Do they work? Is it worth using?

Yes and yes - depending of course on your set up.


--
Capital letters were always the best way of dealing with things you
didn't have a good answer to. - Douglas Adams -