10 Gallon Tank Aqueon Quietflow filter

Hey FishLore,

I have a 10 gallon with the Aqueon Quietflow 10 filter. It's the smallest version that supposedly good for up to 20 gallons. I am wondering if anyone who uses these Aqueon HOB filters, has had success using their own media, instead of filter cartridge and blue bio grid that's in front of the cartridge.

I've tried many times to add a little piece of sponge or polyester filter fiber, but each time it backs up the water too much and starts to overflow (the water level is really low with just the cartridge itself so it's not dirty).

I really want to have more mechanical filtration, and maybe just maybe be able to add some matrix or purigen in there, like a Seachem Tidal filter. Right now I'm hesitant to completely remove the cartridge, just looking for some ideas that will work first....

Thanks fish peeps!

 

I have my own filter media i put in there a couple of months ago and it works great. Make sure the media isn't blocking anything and you might try cleaning the filter and rearanging the media a little bit. Good luck!!

 

My situation is definitely different, but I don't use the carbon insert at all. I use the foam that came with it along with the blue thing. I rinse the foam maybe once a week. There's definitely enough room for more floss tho. I would recommend a really low density foam/floss. The more mechanical filtration you put in there, the more you will have to maintain the filter to keep it from overflowing. Bioballs might be a pretty fair option as they do provide limited mechanical filtration without impeding the water much.

 

Thanks! What exactly did you use and how did you arrange it?? So far I've just added a sponge to the intake and doubled up on those carbon specialty filter pads.

 

I used filter floss, a sponge and something for the beneficial bacteria to live on

 

My situation is definitely different, but I don't use the carbon insert at all. I use the foam that came with it along with the blue thing. I rinse the foam maybe once a week. There's definitely enough room for more floss tho. I would recommend a really low density foam/floss. The more mechanical filtration you put in there, the more you will have to maintain the filter to keep it from overflowing. Bioballs might be a pretty fair option as they do provide limited mechanical filtration without impeding the water much.

Mine did not come with any foam. Just the cartridge, 2 blue grid things and a specialty filter pad.

I used filter floss, a sponge and something for the beneficial bacteria to live on

So you just completely removed the cartridge and blue thing and stuck all that in there?

 

So, what/why are you trying to accomplish(this)?
If you already have a sponge on your intake and your filter is still overflowing, it soulds like you might have a lot more "stuff" than what the filter can handle. Those carbon inserts get clogged really easily regardless, so replacing just it with something that allows more flow might work well.

Mine did not come with any foam. Just the cartridge, 2 blue grid things and a specialty filter pad.

You're actually right. I remembered i removed the foam pad from my old filter and put it where the carbon insert goes in the blue thing.

 

So, what/why are you trying to accomplish(this)?
If you already have a sponge on your intake and your filter is still overflowing, it soulds like you might have a lot more "stuff" than what the filter can handle. Those carbon inserts get clogged really easily regardless, so replacing just it with something that allows more flow might work well.

You're actually right. I remembered i removed the foam pad from my old filter and put it where the carbon insert goes in the blue thing.

I don't wanna keep buying cartridges, and I keep seeing how polyfill or sponges work so much better than a cartridge with activated carbon.

I don't wanna keep buying cartridges, and I keep seeing how polyfill or sponges work so much better than a cartridge with activated carbon.

No my filter isn't overflowing at all with just the cartridge.

So, what/why are you trying to accomplish(this)?
If you already have a sponge on your intake and your filter is still overflowing, it soulds like you might have a lot more "stuff" than what the filter can handle. Those carbon inserts get clogged really easily regardless, so replacing just it with something that allows more flow might work well.

You're actually right. I remembered i removed the foam pad from my old filter and put it where the carbon insert goes in the blue thing.

Maybe I didn't explain that correctly. I'm using a sponge on the intake, the cartridge, and I doubled up on the specialty filter pads right at the outflow. It's not overflowing at all, rather clean actually. I just wanna ditch the cartridge along with the blue thing that holds it in place and start using maybe a sponge with filter floss and maybe some bio-media where the cartridge would normally be.

 

I have that exact same one, but I will be replacing it when I set up my new tank, as Aqueon filters to not have enough room for all aspects of filtration. I do not have any DIY media in there, only the cartridge and bio grid. Unfortunately I can't help you more, as I do not know much about filters. My recommendation would be to get a new filter if possible, because most other filters have more space and you will be able to provide more mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration for your fish. There are many out there, such as Marinelands, Top Fins, etc.

 

I have that exact same one, but I will be replacing it when I set up my new tank, as Aqueon filters to not have enough room for all aspects of filtration. I do not have any DIY media in there, only the cartridge and bio grid. Unfortunately I can't help you more, as I do not know much about filters. My recommendation would be to get a new filter if possible, because most other filters have more space and you will be able to provide more mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration for your fish. There are many out there, such as Marinelands, Top Fins, etc.

Yea I was thinking it's just to small of a basket and really a specific fit where the cartridge goes. I can't even find a filter media bag that fits correctly. Oh well I guess I'm stuck with it for now because not gonna purchase another filter (maybe I will idk lol) until I upgrade on the tank itself.

Thank you!

 

Just don't use the cartridge. The blue thing is "supposed" to be where your bacteria is housed. The blue thing, along with the intake sponge should be enough for your cycle to do well. Save the cartridges in case you have to medicate your tank or have foul odors you need to get rid of. That's really it's only purpose.