Keep rinsing the sponge out in your tank water during water changes when needed. This will keep it seeded.
As long as the sponge isnt falling apart it'll be fine.
The carbon bag will lose its effectiveness after about a month so it can be replaced or even left out. Alot of people just use a bag filled with Purigen, as its reusable.
The cotton you refer to is a poly fiber type batting/pillow stuffing that comes in a loose form or rolls (Available in most Walmarts fabrics area). You could use this as your top layer in your Aquaclear, and just discard it or rinse the same as your sponge insert as needed.
Just make sure you buy a poly batting that doesnt include a mold guard added.
As long as the sponge isnt falling apart it'll be fine.
The carbon bag will lose its effectiveness after about a month so it can be replaced or even left out. Alot of people just use a bag filled with Purigen, as its reusable.
The cotton you refer to is a poly fiber type batting/pillow stuffing that comes in a loose form or rolls (Available in most Walmarts fabrics area). You could use this as your top layer in your Aquaclear, and just discard it or rinse the same as your sponge insert as needed.
Just make sure you buy a poly batting that doesnt include a mold guard added.
