Hob filter question
 

We have an aqueon 10 guiet flow hob. I think there replacement filter cartrages are a little over priced and if I keep changing them arnt I throwing out all the good bacteria my tank needs. Could I use some filter sponge you know the white or blue stuff that comes on the filter cartrages and make a little poutch so that I could just buy some filter media and change when needed that way the good bacteria is staying with the poutch and I am only changing the carbon. Is this a good idea or a totally bad one.

Yup. That's why I hate cartridge filters.

I have only ever used cartrages with our smaller tank but they were cheep these are not. What type of filter media does everyone recomend. The cartrages just say carbon. I figure I can either cut open my curent cartrage and change the media thats inside or I can just stich up my own little poutch and save my self a little money

Filter Media
 

Hello hotrod...

My tanks do fine without the chemical (carbon) medium. If you change out half of the water in the tank every week, you really don't need to use it.

As for the rest, you can simply rinse it well in some of the old tank water and put it back in the filter. Eventually, it will start to fall apart. At that point you should replace it. But it can be reused for several water changes.

B

I found this video on how to use your own media in a hob. I have an Aqueon 20 and while I'm using the cartridge that came with, I will replacing it with my own. I have regular sponges, some of those green dish scourers, and the softer plastic dish scrubbies to use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfOht...7C8B3A8B3746F3

Thanks for the video we are going to do something like. It will make our tank much more budget friendly. now to track down some of those bio balls. I would also like to fet a round sponge for our up take much better looking than panty hose.

There is a much easier way to deal with this.

Get an AquaClear filter sponge in a size larger that the filter box of your HOB. Toss all your cartridges in the trash. Cut the Aquaclear sponge so it fits snugly into the filter media area of you HOB. Leave 1/2" of open space under true sponge to aid circulation.

All you do going forward will be to squeeze out the some in water remove during water changes (Old Tank water). The sponge will last for years. I have done this for over 20years in all my HOBs, a pond, and a reef tank sump.

If you ever need chemical filtration. You can put some Carbon in a bag made from a woman's nylon stocking. Place the carbon bag under the sponge. Of course the sponge will ride a little high in the media box while running the carbon bag. That is a non-issue.

This is a Sponge replacement I cut to fill the unused Chemical Media container in am Fuval G3

http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/SAM_3754.jpg

http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/SAM_3755.jpg

http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/SAM_3757.jpg

Thanks for the pictures I will check and see what our local fish store has not sure if they carry these but they might have a simular brand that could work.

+1 to DogFish's reccomendation. No need to buy anything on an ongoing basis. The foam will last and last and is all you will ever need. It does not loose its bacteria if rinsed, as instructed, in tank water. Better yet, once it gets a bit older the bacteria will develop a very sticky nature and will polish your water as good as anything can. Superclean.

Definatly going to look for some at the pet store this would help our budget so much. the girls are wanting to add some tank mates.

I just took this one for you

http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/SAM_3819.jpg

On the right I used a sponge on the left I have Growstones a hydroponic media that I use in my Aquaponic System. I'm starting plants in that one.
These are on my Toxic Ten tank. I keep the one running with the sponge for use my Q-Tank. This way I always have an active filter running if I need it.

Here's link for AquaClear sponges: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18352

Thank you for going out of the way to take pictures for me. I will stop by the fish store tomorrow and see what kinds of sponges she carries. I do have some moss that is currently growing on a sponge in the outflowTo baffle it a little for our betta.

i have 2 hob filters and ive never used filters I just do reg water changes and watch how much I feed

DogFish has some good advice up there.

I just want to second the bit about carbon not being necessary. The two main uses I can think of are trying to remove either medication or tannins from the water (which I would suggest not doing, they can be pretty beneficial to both plants and fish).

Back when I started, I had one of the old Tetra HOB, and it had a similar cartridge system. This was back when I still thought carbon was necessary.

I'm not sure specifically what I did anymore, but I cut open one of the old cartridges and either reclosed it, or encased it in nylon or a media bag or something similar, and would fill that with carbon that I bought in bulk containers.

If you have trouble fitting a sponge, you might be able to strip one of the old cartridges and use the frame from it as something to embed the sponge inside of.