shellbell4ever

I have several whisper in the tank type filters and they come with those bio bags which I believe have carbon...I'm reading that carbon can be bad for the fish,if I don't use the bio bags what do I use in there place??Some of them also have this black rough stuff in front of where the bio bag goes do I just use that and where can I get more of it??
Any info would be greatly appreciated

Lucy

Carbon can be used safely, but it does expire and can release the toxins it's collected back into the water so you have to replace the carbon often.
I don't use carbon, I use the bio bag without the carbon and rinse it in tank water when it gets nasty.

The black rough stuff, is it like a sponge? You shouldn't have to replace that, just rinse it out in used tank water if it gets gunky.

If you have to replace it, a good fish store should have replacements.

Hope that helps.

shellbell4ever

Thanks Lucy
Where do you get the bio bags with out carbon?And the black rough stuff kind looks like a loose sponge if that makes any sense (LOL)it's in a black plastic holder thing that says front on it,it came with most of my whisper filters, except the little ones they just came with little filter cartridges?I'm concerned about this because I have this white film at the top of my tanks I usually replace the bio bags monthly is that good or not?

Lucy

As far as I know the bio bags come with carbon, I opened mine up and just dumped it out.
When ever you throw out any of the filter media, you lose quite a bit of the beneficial bacteria that grows there, replacing the whole thing too often can set off a mini cycle.

I've got a whisper, but it doesn't have the sponge. You really can get any kind of filter sponge and cut it to fit your filter.

I get that white film sometimes, it's annoying, but I don't think it's harmful. Have you tried increasing the surface agitation?

capekate

Hi Shelly
I have used the whisper, tho not anymore. I dont really care for that filter. But I know just what you are describing, the rough scratchy black filteration block. They do come with the larger Whispers, and not the little whispers.
As Lucy mentioned, you can cut the top of the bio bag and empty out the carbon and then replace the bag back in the clip. As for the black spongy type block, I believe its another filter media. What I did with those is I cut them up in smaller squares and added them to my Aqua Clear filters in the betta tanks to help slow the flow of water back into the tank. They were good for something after I got rid of the Whispers lol...
I would think that you can keep those in your filter anyway, at least its another surface for good bacteria to grow on.

shellbell4ever

Thanks again for the info you've both been a big help!!!

COBettaCouple

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...m?pcatid=4231& - we use this, cut to the size of the bio bags, instead of the bio bags. It lasts ages and will save you lots of money over buying bags.