saulat

I have a HOB filter with a charcoal filter. I read that these are only good for 3 days and that the charcoal is mainly for removing chemicals and meds from the water. Should I run without the charcoal?

I bought a bio ball and dropped it in the water as I am cycling, is this how to use it or should it have been placed in the filter somehow?

What media should I have and are there any others for this type of filter?

I just have decor gravel (stones), two small fish, an air stone, in a 30gal hex tank, oh and a submersible heater. Its been up for 3 days, they are african cichlids, and the filter I think is top fin which I was told was bought out.

What price am I looking at for a canister or new heater if I need one for the 30 gallon hex (may be 35)?

Thanks

ray_sj

Charcoal is not required, and it is mainly used for removing medications, chemicals, color, and odors from the water. It mostly comes down to personal preference. Most people change it every 2-3 weeks to prevent the used charcoal from releasing the chemicals it absorbed back into the tank.

Bio-balls are normally used in large sump filters. But, if you can fit the bio-ball in your filter, I don't think it would hurt. For HOB filters, the media consists of filter pad or floss (for mechanical filtration), and optionally charcoal and biological media. Biological media might include foam blocks or ceramic rings to provide places for the beneficial bacteria to grow.

I don't know much about canisters, but heaters should be ~$25 if you look at the online stores.

Hope that helps. Please fill out your aquarium info so others can quickly see the info and help you.

Butterfly

I have sponges in all of my HOB filters then just rinse them in used tank water when they need it. Once in awhile I stuff floss in the filter behind the sponge to polish the water then throw it away.
Carol

saulat

Thats good to know, I just need to find a place that carries it. That and I may need a new filter since its apparently not made anymore.

saulat

I have a top fin 40 gal filter which they dont make and a tetra or tetrafin filter fit it. Hoping it will be the same for the other media.