Aqueon evolve 8 troubles

[plantastic37]

Was wondering if anyone else has ran into this issue and what you have done to overcome this.

It seems that if you want to use carbon to help clarify your water, you are forced to use an all-in-one cartridge that requires you to replace the whole thing which means you are ditching all the bacteria you cultivated on the pad each time because your carbon has been exhausted.

Is there any alternative?

Was thinking of getting a HOB aquaclear filter and using that but thinking that would screw something up.

[golfer_d]

I think some people have just used sponges in the back filter area and then used bags of carbon sitting in the back holding tanks.

If I am not mistaken, there should be enough bacteria in the rest of the tank to keep it stable during that change? I have a bunch of sponges and bio max in the pump side.

[aznartist34]

The evolve's overflow chamber area has a lot of room for customization. You can put all sorts of media in there when you ditch the stock filter pad.

[J.mccollum]

I have not use the carbon. I packed mine full of ceramic media and sponges, on the other side I have a real fine sponge(like cotton batting) on top of the pump. Makes for very clean tank and lots of room for bacteria and lots left when I swap out the sponges.

[HunterX]

Check out the thread in my signature. It shows how I modded mine!

[plantastic37]

Originally Posted by HunterX

Check out the thread in my signature. It shows how I modded mine!

Love it! Do you every worry about it getting too gunked up and then overflowing the back because it can not pass through? Or do you keep your tank level low enough to accommodate this if it were to happen.

[plantastic37]

So no excel or excel? Also should I be doing regular flourish and how much would you do? Anything else I should do?

Do I have a light bio load or heavy?

thanks!

[reefscape15]

I think you could cut the filter cartrage and dump out the carbon, then just refill it. Just make sure you cut it across the top

[tiggity]

I ditched the Aqueon Cartridge, now using the foam filter for a Fluval 105/106. I have a bag of bio max and purigen in the pump area. Plenty of room to customize your filter media.