NOT changing filter media?

JargonMan · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

Chris I think you are correct. There is no way to adequately clean the
filter media for that type of filter. It's been my experience that
filters that use the "filter floss" are not suitable candidates for
cleaning the media.

Filters that use sponges as their mechanical/biological media can
easily be cleaned rather than thrown away (such as eheim's canister
filters, aquaclear power filters, or marineland's powerheads). In
these filters the sponges function as mechanical, but also biological
filtration. The rational in cleaning rather than throwing away the
media is to preserve the bacterial colonies that have accumulated on
the filter media.

While your Penguin 350's filter media does most likely have beneficial
bacteria that have formed on the filter, the bio-wheel is definitely
where the bacteria colonies are supposed to persist.

I hope this has helped.

Chris Ehlbeck wrote:
> I've seen recommendations about NOT replacing filter media but instead
> rinsing it clean in aquarium water at a water change. Question is, I
> have a Marineland Penguin 350 with the bio-wheels and the filter
> cartridges are plastic on one side and the polyfiber on the other with
> the charcoal between. Recommendations are to change the filter
> cartridges every 2-4 weeks. I tend to change them between water
> changes. Now I understand the bio-wheels are where the beneficial
> bacteria are maintained and as Marineland says should be left alone. Am
> I correct in thinking that the filter cartridge is only for trapping
> debris (and some bacteria) and can be changed and the bio-wheel
> maintains the beneficial bacteria?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris

Archived from group: alt>aquaria>tropical>fish>hobbist

Chris Ehlbeck · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 11

I've seen recommendations about NOT replacing filter media but instead
rinsing it clean in aquarium water at a water change. Question is, I
have a Marineland Penguin 350 with the bio-wheels and the filter
cartridges are plastic on one side and the polyfiber on the other with
the charcoal between. Recommendations are to change the filter
cartridges every 2-4 weeks. I tend to change them between water
changes. Now I understand the bio-wheels are where the beneficial
bacteria are maintained and as Marineland says should be left alone. Am
I correct in thinking that the filter cartridge is only for trapping
debris (and some bacteria) and can be changed and the bio-wheel
maintains the beneficial bacteria?

Thanks,
Chris

Chris Ehlbeck · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 11

Thanks, you confirmed my thoughts. Before I got the Marineland filter I
had the Top Fin 60 that came with it. I had gotten the better
cartridges that did have the foam and a separate filter floss bag. And
the instructions for that did say to replace the filter floss bag but
reuse the foam and at most rinse it in old aquarium water.

Again, Thanks!

JargonMan@gmail.com wrote:
> Chris I think you are correct. There is no way to adequately clean the
> filter media for that type of filter. It's been my experience that
> filters that use the "filter floss" are not suitable candidates for
> cleaning the media.
>
> Filters that use sponges as their mechanical/biological media can
> easily be cleaned rather than thrown away (such as eheim's canister
> filters, aquaclear power filters, or marineland's powerheads). In
> these filters the sponges function as mechanical, but also biological
> filtration. The rational in cleaning rather than throwing away the
> media is to preserve the bacterial colonies that have accumulated on
> the filter media.
>
> While your Penguin 350's filter media does most likely have beneficial
> bacteria that have formed on the filter, the bio-wheel is definitely
> where the bacteria colonies are supposed to persist.
>
> I hope this has helped.
>
>
> Chris Ehlbeck wrote:
>

swarvegorilla · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 235

Easy fixed mate.
1st of all i rarely use the media that comes with marineland products.
If I do then when the carbon filled inserts are 2 or so weeks old..... I
slit one side and empty out the carbon then slide a piece of sponge in where
they used to be.
I don't use chemical filtration unless I need too (eg remove meds from
water) and prefer to keep extra cycled sponges.
For maintanence just remove sponge and rinse in water from the tank.
buying replacements is bloody expensive and I run more than 20 penguin
330's. GREAT filters but not so great if your always replacing carts and
messing with the bacteria levels.
HTH

"Chris Ehlbeck" wrote in message @comcast.com...
> Thanks, you confirmed my thoughts. Before I got the Marineland filter I
> had the Top Fin 60 that came with it. I had gotten the better cartridges
> that did have the foam and a separate filter floss bag. And the
> instructions for that did say to replace the filter floss bag but reuse
> the foam and at most rinse it in old aquarium water.
>
> Again, Thanks!
>
> JargonMan@gmail.com wrote:
>> Chris I think you are correct. There is no way to adequately clean the
>> filter media for that type of filter. It's been my experience that
>> filters that use the "filter floss" are not suitable candidates for
>> cleaning the media.
>>
>> Filters that use sponges as their mechanical/biological media can
>> easily be cleaned rather than thrown away (such as eheim's canister
>> filters, aquaclear power filters, or marineland's powerheads). In
>> these filters the sponges function as mechanical, but also biological
>> filtration. The rational in cleaning rather than throwing away the
>> media is to preserve the bacterial colonies that have accumulated on
>> the filter media.
>>
>> While your Penguin 350's filter media does most likely have beneficial
>> bacteria that have formed on the filter, the bio-wheel is definitely
>> where the bacteria colonies are supposed to persist.
>>
>> I hope this has helped.
>>
>>
>> Chris Ehlbeck wrote:
>>