Hang off the back filter question

[Wintersprite]

Hello everyone,

I have a newbie question when it comes to filters. I have a top fin power 20 filter for my 20 gallon tank and was wondering if I am suppose to replace the filter cartridge each month? The filter cartridge also came with carbon already in it. I know that I am not suppose to remove the bio-filter since that is what houses the beneficial bacteria. I just wanted to ask on here before I made a newbie mistake just in case I am not suppose to replace the filter cartridges. Here are a couple pictures of my filter cartridge and bio-filter.

 

[Dom90]

You're not supposed to replace the filter cartridge as this would leave you with no BB.

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

Nope! Don't replace the filter cartridge each month, tmk, because you'll lose some of your beneficial bacteria, which is necessary for your cycle. Just swish the filter media around in a bucket of old tank water whenever it starts to get really yucky. Also, I would recommend upgrading your filter, as I have the same filter and the GPH is pretty lousy. :/ Good luck!

 

[Gekco]

Just replace the carbon monthly, however I agree with BTWB a topfin 20 on a 20 gallon tank is underrated. for a HOB filter you want your water to cycle at least 8-10x per hour. So you'll want a filter with at least 160 - 200 GPH. According to this thread the topfin 20 has 100GPH.

 

[Dom90]

Replacing the carbon isn't absolutely necessary though. It won't kill your tank or fish if you don't.

 

[Wintersprite]

ok thank you guys for the information. I did not think I was suppose to replace it each month which is why I wanted to check first before I did anything.

Thanks for the information on the carbon Dom because that was going to be my next question. At any point do I need to try and remove the carbon from the current filter cartridge?

Also what HOB filter would you guys suggest for a 20 gallon tank? Once it is fully stocked it will house 1 halfmoon betta, 8 harlequin rasboras, and 6 otos. Sorry if this is getting a little off topic from the original post.

 

[Dom90]

Only if you want to remove medications from the tank do you actually need carbon. Also, a betta is not a good choice for a community tank with rasboras and otos...

 

[BornThisWayBettas]

Well, I've been told that the Aquaclear filter is a really good one, so...... Also, I know someone is going to comment on this, so let me just tell you that yes, sometimes bettas in community tanks can work, you just need to approach it with caution.

 

[Gekco]

Aqua clears are good HOB filters and the Fluval C-Series are good too. As for removing the carbon, from the pics (if it works the same as tetra filters) does that black clip come off? Because of it does the carbon should be in there.

 

[Wintersprite]

Thank you guys, I will look into the aquaclear filter. Is it the aqua clear fluval power filter 30?

Yes the black clip does come off. Is there a certain point that the carbon should be removed from the cartridge or is it ok to stay in there forever?

 

[Dom90]

Yea either the AquaClear 30 or 50, if you want more filtration.

 

[Gekco]

Thank you guys, I will look into the aquaclear filter. Is it the aqua clear fluval power filter 30?

Yes the black clip does come off. Is there a certain point that the carbon should be removed from the cartridge or is it ok to stay in there forever?

Well as Dom said, the carbon isn't necessary all it does is it takes the discolouration out of your water. I hear the carbon needs to be changed monthly or else it doesn't work as well.

 

[Dom90]

Well as Dom said, the carbon isn't necessary all it does is it takes the discolouration out of your water. I hear the carbon needs to be changed monthly or else it doesn't work as well.

You are correct. Carbon only lasts a month then it's no longer useful.

 

[Wintersprite]

ok it has been in the cartridge since june 10th should I remove it or is it ok to leave it in there? Thanks again for all of your guys helpful information.

 

[Dom90]

I'd replace it, but get some bio-media instead.

 

[Wintersprite]

ok will do. Do you know if petsmart or petco have any to chose from and if so what ones would you suggest?

 

[f2002]

I have a 20 gallon long tank running an Aquaclear 70 with Purigen and water is crystal clear.

Betta might not be a good choice for your community tank, especially if you want to get a strong HOB filter like a AC50 or up. AC have pretty strong currents. I tried having a Betta in my tank once and the current was just too strong for him.

 

[Dom90]

ok will do. Do you know if petsmart or petco have any to chose from and if so what ones would you suggest?

You can either get Seachem Matrix or Fluval Biomax for bio-media options.

 

[Wintersprite]

I was thinking about the aqua clear 30 or 50 for my 20 gallon high, but I might have to wait on that for awhile since my betta is in the tank as well. I do not want the current to be too strong for him. I would try and move him to another tank; however, I only have room for maybe a 2.5 gallon tank. The extra space is only about 9 inches high.

Would I just empty the carbon out of my current cartridge and add the seachem matrix or fluval biomax to that cartridge? Or are there some other steps that I would need to take? My current cartridge is the second picture from the original post.

 

[Gekco]

I would assume that you would just remove the carbon from the current cartridge then just pour in roughly that same amount of the matrix or biomax.

 

[DanB80TTS]

Aquaclear filters are awesome! I run a 50 on my 29 gallon along with a canister.
Have to agree the 30 or 50 would be fine for a 20high, they do have adjustable flow and there are methods to baffle the outflow to reduce current if you need to.

 

[uncfan]

I had a AC 50 on a 20 long community tank with 2 female bettas. For the bettas I had a patch of water lettuce that I kept trimmed to about 6x6 inches. They layed in it, and would venture out when they wanted. They loved it, and had no issues.

 

[jays guppies]

I use hob style on all my tanks change the carbon every month water is always perfect in my show room and my breeding room

 

[David7654]

I have a hang on the back filter for a 29 gallon. I have lava rocks in there and there is a carbon cartridge. It says to change the carbon cartridge every couple of weeks and I was wondering if that would loose all of the beneficial bacteria or if the bacteria is mainly in the lava rocks and not the carbon cartridge.

 

[AquaticJ]

As long as you have a decent amount of lava rocks in there that have been in there for at least a month, you should be fine.

 

[David7654]

Yeah I’ve had the lava rocks for pretty much a month exactly. So it’s ok to change the carbon and I obviously wouldn’t change the lava rocks.

 

[NavyChief20]

You can toss the carbon and never buy a cartridge again. The lava rock is immeasurably better

 

[David7654]

Is it ok to have both in there though?

 

[NavyChief20]

Is it ok to have both in there though?

You want to keep the carbon? Why?

 

[David7654]

I have about 3 cartridges left and don’t want to just throw the unused ones away so when I run out I just won’t get any more.

 

[NavyChief20]

I have about 3 cartridges left and don’t want to just throw the unused ones away so when I run out I just won’t get any more.

Yeah you can do that. Then you start saving money

 

[kallililly1973]

Keep the carbon out and replace it with a polyfill type polisher. you can get big bags of it at Walmart or fabric stores. If you ever have to medicate your tank the carbon will help remove the meds once the treatment is over. So its always good to have it on hand. But not at all necessary to have it in your filter. Carbon is mainly used to remove meds and if your water ever gets a little smell to it.

 

[Islandvic]

David7654 , Maybe this (LINK ) to a thread on forum about adding DIY media to your filter will be of benefit to you.

 

[Pinnergy75]

This might have already been discussed.. I am in the process of cycling my 55 gallon tank (started October 23rd) I was wondering when and the best way how to clean my filter. Do I need to wait until I get a cycle..??

 

[kallililly1973]

I wouldn’t touch your filter till your well cycled and even have a few fish in there

 

[Pinnergy75]

Okay.. I actually am using used 2 Zebra Danios, 2 Green Barbs, and a Glo Tetra.. when I start seeing ammonia and nitrite rise I do a water change and hit it with Prime.

 

[oldsalt777]

Okay.. I actually am using used 2 Zebra Danios, 2 Green Barbs, and a Glo Tetra.. when I start seeing ammonia and nitrite rise I do a water change and hit it with Prime.

Hello Pinn...

At this point, once the fish are in, all you need to do is change a third of the water every three to four days for a couple of weeks. Then, you change half the tank water weekly for as long as you keep the tank running. If you want to add a few, small fish you simply increase the amount of your weekly water change.

Old

 

[Pinnergy75]

Hello Pinn...

At this point, once the fish are in, all you need to do is change a third of the water every three to four days for a couple of weeks. Then, you change half the tank water weekly for as long as you keep the tank running. If you want to add a few, small fish you simply increase the amount of your weekly water change.

Old

Thank you.. good stuff!!

 

[Heron]

Filter cleaning is best avoided during cycling. Even after cycling it should be done with caution. There are 3 types of filter media;
1 mechanical filtration, this is usually floss or sponge, this removes particles of waste that could clog the biological media.
2. Biological filtration, this is the most important media, this is home to the bacteria that process waste, it has a large surface area to allow contact between bacteria and the water flowing through it.
3. Chemical media e.g carbon or zeolite, this removes harmful chemicals from the water and helps keep water clear.
Mechanical media can be rinsed in hot water ONLY if it is not also your biological media ( be aware that sponge in filters can be both mechanical and biological , particularly in more basic filters )
Biological media if it gets clogged can be given a quick dip in a bucket of used tank water only.
Chemical media gets depleted and must be replaced from time to time.
You do not need chemical media and many simple filters don't have space for any.
If your unsure about whether a sponge is also bacterial then clean it in old tank water like biolgical media.
If you need help deciding what media is what post the details on here.

 

[saltwater60]

I mostly agree with the above posts. My only exception would be if the media such as the sponge is clogged up and water is not passing through the filter and going through the bypass section instead. If that’s occurring your filter would be basically useless anyway. If you do need to clean anything clean it in aquarium water immediately after a water change to not kill the bacteria.
Also a 50% water change weekly is pretty high unless your pretty highly stocked. I do that but my tanked is stocked on the high side. If your stocking is low to moderate you can do less than 50% weekly. Now while cycling of your seeing ammonia 50% weekly might be needed to bring down ammonia.
Change the Water in Your Aquarium and Keep Fish Healthy

 

[Pinnergy75]

I have heard so many things.. honestly I have never seen my NH3 at 0 ppm at best it has been 0.25 PPm at best. I was doing almost 50 % twice a week and adding Prime. Then I had someone tell me to not change your water for 14 days.. I went 6 days and couldn't bear it and did a 50% change and added Prime.
There was one time that I used the API test and my NH3 was yellow and my Nitrite was 0 PPM (WOOOOO). Then I found that I hadn't put enough test drops for the ammonia. Just trying to be patient. and using Prime so I don't kill my critters.

 

[Islandvic]

What filter(s) do you have on your 55g?

Are you using a pump and hose method for w/car's, or siphon and 5 gallon bucket ?

 

[Pinnergy75]

I'm using an Aquaclear 70. I use a python to pull the water out.

 

[Islandvic]

AC70's are great filters. I have 2 along with some other AC's in different sizes.

I suggest adding a 2nd block of the foam sponge on top of the bottom one.

It will help catch more muck and also colonize more beneficial bacteria.

The best way to clean an Aquaclear is just to swish the sponge block and bag of bio-media around in a bucket of tank water during your water changes.

 

[SoldSpartan]

Right now I've got this

I'm looking for a 10 gallon aquarium that has room in front to add BIOMAX.

 

[Amazoniantanklvr]

Aquaclear 20.

 

[CoryBoi]

The Fluval c2 is very customizable, I have the c3

 

[SoldSpartan]

Aquaclear 20.

Do you know what the dimensions on that thing?

 

[Amazoniantanklvr]

Do you know what the dimensions on that thing?

Nah sorry. I have the AC70 and love it.

 

[TWiG87]

Do you know what the dimensions on that thing?

dimensions are towards bottom of page

AquaClear Powerhead Water Pump, Size 20 - chewy