Drew04

I use a whisper power filter. It is equipped with the bio-bag (white floss-like material) which holds carbon (if used), as well as the piece of black foam-like material. I am finding that the bio-bag gets clogged very quickly, forcing the unfiltered water to spill back into the tank around the top of the intake tube.

The last time this happened, I replaced the bio-bag which fixed the filter flow, but resulted in cloudy water for 3-4 days. I disposed of too much bacteria.

Now, I was under the assumption that the black foam piece would contain enough bacteria to avoid a mini cycle, but apparently not.

The bio-bag that is in there now is clogged and I have rinsed it in aquarium water during my past 2 weekly water changes. The rinse job does allow water to flow properly again, but only for a day or 2.

Admittedly, I probably over-feed, causing much of the food to get sucked into the filter, thus clogging the bio-bag. I am being contentious about that now, but I'm not the only feeder. I've watched my GF feed them and she uses less food than I do, which is probably good.

I understand that offering less food should avoid my clogged filter problem in the future.

Finally.....HERE'S MY QUESTION:

How can I replace the bio-bag without removing too much of the active bacteria in the old bag? I must change bags, because the filter is basically just creating water circulation at this point, it's not filtering anything. Should I cut off a piece of the old bag and insert it in the new bag? Then after a few days remove the old piece?

fishlover78

in your situation I recommend getting another filter, and then set up a schedule where you replace one every 3 weeks and the other in 3 weeks, its just an idea.

Lucy

That's probably what I would do, except leave the old peice in there at least 2 weeks.

agabr123

The whispers can be tricky. I have used several, and will hopefully never purposely use on again. for the bio bag that comes with it, I generally remove the carbon (and in this case the black foam, which sounds like carbon possibly at least from what I have in other filters) and just add extra filter floss to the bag. If you're using the carbon that could be part of the reason. Also, on one that came with a 5G hex I bought for one of my bettas, you have to turn down the flow on it otherwise it will overflow out of the back, I would try that before purchasing a new filter (although I personally would recommend buying a new filter if you have the means).

Edit: Oh, and do you have another established tank or just the one? if so you can use a piece of filter media from that if it's fully cycled to prevent a mini-cycle.

pinkfloydpuffer

I cut out the carbon in my Whispers, and just rinse the media with old tank water every 2 weeks or so. But if you want the carbon, I'd put the new bag in with the old one, leave it like that for about 2 weeks, then remove the old one and you should be ok.

fishlover78

I have had nothing but back luck with tetra products (accept air pumps) their filters are not up to par IMO I would replace with a nice liberty eheim or aquaclear power filter, they are bith good quality, but if you do this make sure that you let the old filter run for up to a month so that the bacteria can establish in the new filter first.