Freshwater Fan

Hello,

So I'm new to the hobby and need a few questions answered.

I already know the three media types that are in my new canister xp3 filter.
I have the 30/20 pads for mechanical, the noddles for biological and the biochem zorb in the pouch that that came with my filter for chemical.

I also have an aqueon 55 HOB filter that has sealed filter pouches with what I assume to be carbon inside. I plan to flip/flop servicing on these filters on a monthly basis as to not take out too much bacteria at once, or can i service them both being that I have noddles in the canister that I wont touch?

Also, I am reading that each biochem zorb pouch treats 55 gallons, but what about If I am doing weekly water changes, OR like right now, daily water changes due to doing a a cycle with fish? Wouldnt the biochem zorb be worhtless after a few water changes? I dont understand. Some people say I can go 3 months without touching the canister filter. Others say carbon deactivates after 2 weeks or so. Please I need some guidance. My tank is 55 gallons. Please teach me to use these 2 filters together to get the most cleaning/safety out of this setup. Also, What kind of media should I get to replace after the starter media is done. These filters are both only a week old now, but It will be a month before you know it and want to be ready. THX

clinton1621

Personally I dont use activated carbon or the 'chem zorb' media in any of my filters.... the carbon and the zeolite (whats in chem zorb) both only work for a limited time (as little as 48 hours to a couple of weeks max) after this they are doing absolutely nothing other than leaching toxins back into your water. Carbon is really only necessary to remove toxic metals or meds from the water after treatments. Zeolite (chem zorb) can be even worse, if its exposed to salt it will release ammonia that its "holding" back into the water causing a sudden spike, it also causes some ammonium (non toxic ammonia) in the water even if it doesnt do that which can cause algae blooms (believe me I unfortunately found this out the hard way). All that being said I would switch out the carbon and the chemzorb with some inert media like fiber floss, or bioballs, or more noodles... in my opinion =)

You should definitely dont want to change all your media at once, but lightly rinsing it all with DECHLORINATED water a few times a month will not cause you to lose too much bacteria. Media only needs to be replaced when its too clogged up to clean out or is falling apart, which usually takes several months.

FishFolk

I don't have the exact answer to your question as I use only HOB filters, but can share what I know. We don't use carbon unless we have a specific need for it. I have two HOB on my each of the 55s. I only clean the filter when water flow is affected. That has always been only one at a time.

I am concerned that you are changing the water daily. I am relatively new to the hobby but have a couple of good mentors. I don't do daily changes when I start a tank and was told not to do them but once a week. I start with an understocked tank, seeded filter and good fish. In a new tank, I check my water quality levels frequently to keep an eye out for excesses, particularly ammonia. I also take care not to overfeed.

Someone with more experience and / or experience with your type of filter will surely help you with that. i'd love to have a canister Lucky you !

clinton1621

He is most likely doing them because he didnt have any seeded media and as such had a 0 bacteria level to start, therefore he needs to do daily water changes for a cycle with fish in order to keep the ammonia levels down until sufficient bacteria forms... which by the way is not a great way to go, its much harder on the fish and takes much longer to cycle that way, but thats just an experienced opinion.

FishFolk

Let's here it for experience! That's the great thing about this site - there is always someone who knows.

We have lots of bacteria - and would gladly share with anyone in our fair city should they need it. Sounds disgusting - sharing bacteria -but if you told me last year that I would be siphoning fish water and putting my fingers on dried fish and wet mosquito larvae without a care,I'd have thought that was disgusting (and probably thought you'd lost your mind too) It is amazing what a few months , a couple hundred gallons of water, and thousands (or millions) of bacteria can do to a person.

Sorry for the semi-hijack! Back to the busniess at hand. Filters and how to manage the canister and HOB maintenance.