JoeSmo

Hey everyone,
I picked up an Aquaclear 200 filter from a garage sale down in Newport for my 20 gallon tank. It was only $1 because the guy selling was trying to just get rid of it. I have it and it is cycled and the tank is running fine. I changed the sponge in it a few days ago but I am just wondering if anyone has had experiance with these filters because changing the "inserts" would just get rid of the bacteria and atart another nitrogen cycle, right? Help a brother out!
Thanks.

Shaina

Honestly I run my Aquaclears without the carbon (except in special circumstances), and am still using the same biomedia as when I got the filters...the oldest of which I got in March 2008. I just replaced the oldest of the sponges this March, as after a year of use they were starting to lose elasticity and break down a bit.

I do weekly partial water changes so on alternating weeks I rinse out either the sponge OR (but not and) the biomedia in the used tank water to flush out buildup. That way each piece is cleaned every other week, but never at the same time (in case I somehow kill the bacteria).

But to answer your original question - yes if you replace all your media at once your tank will likely need to cycle all over again...at the very least (if you have lots of bacteria-bearing tank decor) you'd have a mini-cycle.

JoeSmo

Alright, thanks. So I don't need to change out the inserts like the package said? Cool so all I really need to do is rinse them out? And the active carbon is fine to use right? Sorry I have so mony questions I just want the best for my fish!

bolivianbaby

Just rinse out your filter in used aquarium water. If you don't rinse it in dechlorinated water, you will lose all of your beneficial bacteria.

Also, if there is room in the filter, you can also keep a 2nd cartridge in there. That way, if one of them falls apart, you still have the bacteria in the other so you won't have a mini cycle.

ccb04

Using carbon is personal preference. I usually limit it's use to removing medications. Some keepers do use it regularly though. If you choose to ... just make sure to change the insert on a regular basis (every 2-4 weeks...depending on bio-load).

As far as the sponge and biomax bio-media ... yes, simply rinse them in used tank water to clean. Both will last quite awhile ... and the sponge itself will also colonize beneficial bacteria.

I also use an AquaClear 50 (200) on my 20g long. I use a piece of filter floss on the very bottom, followed by the sponge and 2 biomax inserts.

JoeSmo

Can you just put the filter floss right in? I was just curious because I have a bag full of it in my cabnent for some reason lol.

ccb04

I cut it to the size of the sponge for more of a custom fit. I then rinse it and place it on the bottom of the media basket.

JoeSmo

Alright thanks everyone!

ccb04

One thing ... if you use the floss you'll want to change it about every 5 days.

aquarist48

Hello. I love my Aqua Clear filters. I add high loft batting material (from the craft department at Walmart, no chemicals added) as my filter floss to the very bottom of the filter. This helps to keep the media on top of it much cleaner. As mentioned above I too change my floss every 5 days. If it's a new tank and still cycling don't change anything for at least a month. The sponge and bio cubes I only rinse once in a while in siphoned tank water to preserve the good biological bacteria (BB) I'm a firm believer in using activated carbon but that's just me Too, you can stuff the filter with as much media as you have room for. (more sponges or bio cubes). I think you'll like the Aqua Clear filters. Mine do a great job.