Need to clean filter pad every two days?

Hello, I have top fin 30 waterfall filter on a 29G recently cycled tank. I added 3 juli cory fish in today (first fish in the tank) but didn't feed them yet so I don't think they will affect this. I was recently advised on here to wash my filter pad instead of changing it to prevent the tank from being uncycled. I washed the filter pad out in old tank water 4 days ago then put it back in. Two days later the red monitor appears again. So I washed it in the old tank water again more aggressively (swished back and forth rapidly and tried to rub stuff off with my hands). Now today I am getting the red signal again and the water in there is near the top again. Am I doing something wrong? I have not put any food in the tank in over a month since I got my ammonia in a bottle for cycling and did a 95% water change after cycling. In the past two days the filter has started making this mechanical sound that it usually only makes when I plug it back in before I put some water in there.

 

Hello, I have top fin 30 waterfall filter on a 29G recently cycled tank. I added 3 juli cory fish in today (first fish in the tank) but didn't feed them yet so I don't think they will affect this. I was recently advised on here to wash my filter pad instead of changing it to prevent the tank from being uncycled. I washed the filter pad out in old tank water 4 days ago then put it back in. Two days later the red monitor appears again. So I washed it in the old tank water again more aggressively (swished back and forth rapidly and tried to rub stuff off with my hands). Now today I am getting the red signal again and the water in there is near the top again. Am I doing something wrong? I have not put any food in the tank in over a month since I got my ammonia in a bottle for cycling and did a 95% water change after cycling. In the past two days the filter has started making this mechanical sound that it usually only makes when I plug it back in before I put some water in there.

The problem with cartridges is the carbon in them. That carbon starts breaking down and as it does it starts clogging the fiber floss. When it reaches the point to where water no longer flows through it freely no matter what you do all you can do is replace it.

What I would do is cut a slit in a new cartridge and dump the carbon out of it. I would then cut the fiber floss of the old cartridge. Toss the plastic frame and the carbon. Put that piece of fiber floss in with the new cartridge. By removing the carbon from the new one it shouldn't clog up as quickly and the piece of floss will help seed the new one.

 

The problem with cartridges is the carbon in them. That carbon starts breaking down and as it does it starts clogging the fiber floss. When it reaches the point to where water no longer flows through it freely no matter what you do all you can do is replace it.

What I would do is cut a slit in a new cartridge and dump the carbon out of it. I would then cut the fiber floss of the old cartridge. Toss the plastic frame and the carbon. Put that piece of fiber floss in with the new cartridge. By removing the carbon from the new one it shouldn't clog up as quickly and the piece of floss will help seed the new one.

Thanks for the advice! The carbon is the little rocks, right?

 

Thanks for the advice! The carbon is the little rocks, right?

Yes they are usually a bunch of black "rock" like substances. But they can come in different shapes.

Like this: Activated Carbon

Activated Carbon is usually only good for 3-4 weeks. They usually need to be replaced after 3 weeks, because they will lose their effectiveness once they start breaking down. I usually only use carbon for removing medicine, tannins, and unusual odors.

 

Diy Media Guide For Top Fin Silenstream, Aquaclear And Other Hob Filters | 385506 | Filters and Filtration

 

Agree with mattgirl. Cut the old floss off the frame and toss the frame and plastic sheet that came with it. Get either media ex. Bio rings. It I prefer an aquarium sponge and cut it in small pieces and throw old floss in with new media.

 

New Biochemical Foam Pond Filtration Fish Tank Aquarium Sponge Pad Black | eBay this you will only need a section. Cut in small pieces and toss in with old filter floss. Then when tank 2 comes you can split the cut pieces and put half new in old filter and half new in new filter you now have 2 cycled tanks

 

I changed the filter and put some of the white floss stuff in there with it but now the water is extremely cloudy. Is it dangerous for the fish? Will it clear up?

 

That's just stirred stuff that was in filter not dangerous will clear in a couple of hrs

 

I changed the filter and put some of the white floss stuff in there with it but now the water is extremely cloudy. Is it dangerous for the fish? Will it clear up?

It should clear up. What white floss stuff did you use? I use poly-fill. The same stuff usually used for stuffing pillows or soft toys. I always make sure nothing like a fire or mold retardant has been added to it. Check yours and make sure it doesn't have anything added to it.

 

It should clear up. What white floss stuff did you use? I use poly-fill. The same stuff usually used for stuffing pillows or soft toys. I always make sure nothing like a fire or mold retardant has been added to it. Check yours and make sure it doesn't have anything added to it.

I am not sure. It is the one I cut out from my old top fin filter cartridge without carbon rocks.

 

Sounds like you cut one from old filter and added to new one minus carbon. If that's what u ment then you are good.

 

Sounds like you cut one from old filter and added to new one minus carbon. If that's what u ment then you are good.

Yes. Thanks

 

I am not sure. It is the one I cut out from my old top fin filter cartridge without carbon rocks.

Gotcha.

Yes. Thanks

Gotcha. I have to think what you are seeing is exactly what Rcslade124 suggested. Could be stuff stirred up by disturbing the media. Hopefully it will clear up fairly quick. It shouldn't be a problem for your fish.