Should I Replace My Filters My Kit Came With?

I have an aquarium tank kit. It has a built in water pump filtration system. It used two triangle black sponge, 1 slI'm white filter cartridge, and 1 slI'm cartridge with bio beads. Anyone know how I can life back this and maybe improve the surface area of the filter to have more beneficial Bacteria? I'll provide a few pictures to give an idea of how the set up looks. There's two intake sided wedges with the sponges in those areas. Right half has the white filter cartridge that goes into the middle and is pumped back out on the left half there's a slI'm bio bead cartridge





Life hack (DIY)

 

What's the name of the Aquarium kit? What you could do is replace the cartridges with sponges and add bags of biomedia. However, without a diagram of how water flows through the filter, I can't tell you where to put it

 

What's the name of the Aquarium kit? What you could do is replace the cartridges with sponges and add bags of biomedia. However, without a diagram of how water flows through the filter, I can't tell you where to put it

My aquarium kit is "Imagitarium 6.8 gallon aquarium).I'm not 100% sure as I'm still new to this.. however my understanding is that, water goes in through the right and left sides, into the right and left sponges, through the right and left media and into the center where the submerged pump is and exits out the middle

 

For my bettas I buy 10 gallon top fin tanks. Comes with heater, filter, led light/hood and tank. I sell the filter and buy a sponge filter. Or for my other fish I get a different filter.

 

My aquarium kit is "Imagitarium 6.8 gallon aquarium).I'm not 100% sure as I'm still new to this.. however my understanding is that, water goes in through the right and left sides, into the right and left sponges, through the right and left media and into the center where the submerged pump is and exits out the middle View attachment 458367View attachment 458368

Looks like you can add bags of biomedia directly the area above the pump

 

For my bettas I buy 10 gallon top fin tanks. Comes with heater, filter, led light/hood and tank. I sell the filter and buy a sponge filter. Or for my other fish I get a different filter.

The filter it comes with is different than a sponge filter correct? I was not sure if I can do that as well.. since my kit is a water pump and the system is attached to the tank..

Looks like you can add bags of biomedia directly the area above the pump

Any recommendations on brands, you use any? Can I use nitrate filter bio media ?

 

The filter it comes with is different than a sponge filter correct? I was not sure if I can do that as well.. since my kit is a water pump and the system is attached to the tank..

That's just what I do and yes sponge filters are different. My point was if you really don't like it you can sell it and buy one you like.

 

That's just what I do and yes sponge filters are different. My point was if you really don't like it you can sell it and buy one you like.

I've been wanting to do that.. but the black wall is the intake and the media in behind it.. its on my tank pretty tight, I'd have to probsbst use tools to remove it all and get a sponge filter.

 

I've been wanting to do that.. but the black wall is the intake and the media in behind it.. its on my tank pretty tight, I'd have to probsbst use tools to remove it all and get a sponge filter.

What CanadianFishFan meant that you could sell this tank and buy a regular tank if you don't like this one and want to use a sponge filter.

As for biomedia for this tank, I recommend Seachem Matrix in mesh bags or Fluval BioMax

 

What CanadianFishFan meant that you could sell this tank and buy a regular tank if you don't like this one and want to use a sponge filter.

As for biomedia for this tank, I recommend Seachem Matrix in mesh bags or Fluval BioMax

Thank you I'll look into those soon

What CanadianFishFan meant that you could sell this tank and buy a regular tank if you don't like this one and want to use a sponge filter.

As for biomedia for this tank, I recommend Seachem Matrix in mesh bags or Fluval BioMax

Out of curiosity.. silly question.. but is bio media the same as biological filtration?

 

Eduardo - Is there any specific reason you want to introduce changes to the filtration? I have never used one of these 6.8 gallon tanks, however from what I can see, it is a robust tank and well designed for a small tank.

If it were mine, I would set up as the instructions recommend and place a small heater into the filter area away from the media. I guess the challenge here is the aquascaping as the back wall is black, however that shouldn't be an issue as you can lighten up the tank with lighter gravel.

Imagitarium has been around for a while. They make some good stuff, so I am sure they know what they are doing in the area of nano and small tanks.

 

Eduardo - Is there any specific reason you want to introduce changes to the filtration? I have never used one of these 6.8 gallon tanks, however from what I can see, it is a robust tank and well designed for a small tank.

If it were mine, I would set up as the instructions recommend and place a small heater into the filter area away from the media. I guess the challenge here is the aquascaping as the back wall is black, however that shouldn't be an issue as you can lighten up the tank with lighter gravel.

Imagitarium has been around for a while. They make some good stuff, so I am sure they know what they are doing in the area of nano and small tanks.

After watching a few YouTube videos I just figured maybe adding more bio media will mean better for the tank in general nothing I was really aiming for. My heater is on the side of the tank due to the size of the chamber for the pump, the heater didn't fit so I stuck on in the side


That and in the long run.. I wonder if I can save a few bucks by using a different type of filter instead of purchasing new cartridge filters

 

I wonder if I can save a few bucks by using a different type of filter instead of purchasing new cartridge filters

Not sure I understand you on this one. The filter you have uses sponge inserts for the bio media..... You just need to rinse them in tank water. They hardly ever need to be changed.
The carbon cartridge is an addition - I don't use them unless I need to remove something specific from the water. You may not want to use them at all. You also have some some white floss that is a very fine cleaning filter to keep your water clean - You can buy that stuff cheap in rolls or large rectangles - just cut the size you require and stick it onto the carbon cartridge. You can even take the carbon out of an old cartridge and add the floss to the frame of the carbon cartridge as long as you leave one side of the carbon cartridge material in place - otherwise the floss will get blown through and will not serve its purpose.

 

Not sure I understand you on this one. The filter you have uses sponge inserts for the bio media..... You just need to rinse them in tank water. They hardly ever need to be changed.
The carbon cartridge is an addition - I don't use them unless I need to remove something specific from the water. You may not want to use them at all. You also have some some white floss that is a very fine cleaning filter to keep your water clean - You can buy that stuff cheap in rolls or large rectangles - just cut the size you require and stick it onto the carbon cartridge. You can even take the carbon out of an old cartridge and add the floss to the frame of the carbon cartridge as long as you leave one side of the carbon cartridge material in place - otherwise the floss will get blown through and will not serve its purpose.

I guess my mistake was thinking sponge was a mechanical filter. I'm not sure what type of filter the bio beads and the floss did.. I was confused and wondered if I can add more next to bio bead cartridge. Because lava rock can be a type of bio media I thought I can put in a small mesh bag with lava rocks next to the cartridge of bio beads and the cartridge of white floss

 

I guess my mistake was thinking sponge was a mechanical filter. I'm not sure what type of filter the bio beads and the floss did.. I was confused and wondered if I can add more next to bio bead cartridge. Because lava rock can be a type of bio media I thought I can put in a small mesh bag with lava rocks next to the cartridge of bio beads and the cartridge of white floss

Another thought was what if I took out the white floss cartridge and the bio bead cartridge. And just had bio bags of lava rocks in there instead. And I'd use sponge and lava rocks instead? That's just because I thought the sponge was a mechanical filter that works as a barrier to scoop up things

 

I would leave the sponge in - it does clean the water mechanically, however is the main home for your bacterial colony. Bio balls are pretty hmmmmm useless. Lava rocks are better asl long as they are good quality - they should turn to powder if you squeeze them. They need to be porous, but not powdery.

I use sponge, floss and lava rocks in my filters. I removed the bioballs as they are not very efficient.

Eduardo - you have a big filter for that tank, so you should be just fine with the sponge, lava rocks and floss. Just keep in mind, that the lava rocks will make your water slightly harder as the minerals will leach out into the water!

Is your tap water hard or soft - if soft, then lava stone is great. If hard, stick with the bioballs.

 

That filter looks more than sufficient for a tank that size. I would use it and not worry.

 

I would leave the sponge in - it does clean the water mechanically, however is the main home for your bacterial colony. Bio balls are pretty hmmmmm useless. Lava rocks are better asl long as they are good quality - they should turn to powder if you squeeze them. They need to be porous, but not powdery.

I use sponge, floss and lava rocks in my filters. I removed the bioballs as they are not very efficient.

Eduardo - you have a big filter for that tank, so you should be just fine with the sponge, lava rocks and floss. Just keep in mind, that the lava rocks will make your water slightly harder as the minerals will leach out into the water!

Is your tap water hard or soft - if soft, then lava stone is great. If hard, stick with the bioballs.

My tap water pH is 7.6 o have no kit to test KH or GH unfortunately.. Should I go the safe route and stick to bio balls or ceramic rings then? That will mean that I can switch out the bio bead cartridge for labs rock or bio ball mesh baggies? Correct. My other issue was that k originally was searching for ways to lower nitrate levels with filters because my tap is high in nitrates.. and then I began thinking I can improve my original filter a little bit more by adding different and more affordable alternative than replacing monthly bio bead cartridge.

 

Actually, when looking at it, it seems to me that the water comes in through the center and exits out the sides. Intakes are usually lower down than outlets. It looks like a nice setup. I like the lights.

 

That filter looks more than sufficient for a tank that size. I would use it and not worry.

It does look promising , however I was wondering if I can save a few bucks by maybe switching bio bead cartridge with a cheaper media in mesh bags. Just a thought. Originally I wanted to look up filters to lower nitrates.. then I thought about this idea too

 

Actually, when looking at it, it seems to me that the water comes in through the center and exits out the sides. Intakes are usually lower down than outlets. It looks like a nice setup. I like the lights.

Thanks

 

It does look promising , however I was wondering if I can save a few bucks by maybe switching bio bead cartridge with a cheaper media in mesh bags. Just a thought. Originally I wanted to look up filters to lower nitrates.. then I thought about this idea too

You could replace the cartridge with an aquarium-safe sponge that's cut to fit. Something like a sponge for an Aquaclear or Fluval Canister.

 

You could replace the cartridge with an aquarium-safe sponge that's cut to fit. Something like a sponge for an Aquaclear or Fluval Canister.

Anything to lower nitrate levels

 

Anything to lower nitrate levels

Then you'll have to do water changes and have live plants.

Though I have a question. What are you keeping in this aquarium?

 

Then you'll have to do water changes and have live plants.

Though I have a question. What are you keeping in this aquarium?

My tap water has High levels of nitrate to start with (40-80ppm) we drink bottled water for this issue. A betta fish

 

My tap water has High levels of nitrate to start with (40-80ppm) we drink bottled water for this issue. A betta fish

Ah, then try adding Purigen to the aquarium. It removes Nitrogenous wastes

 

Ah, then try adding Purigen to the aquarium. It removes Nitrogenous wastes

Thanks! I was looking into seachem products I had ordered de nitrate as well you have any opinions on this? I was thinking of tossing a few in amesh bag in my filter area

 

Thanks! I was looking into seachem products I had ordered de nitrate as well you have any opinions on this? I was thinking of tossing a few in amesh bag in my filter area

Make you put de nitrate in a slow portion of your filter. If there is too much flow over the de nitrate, it won't remove nitrates.

Purigen is like activated carbon, but it absorbs a lot more things, including nitrates. You'll need to recharge it after it gets exhausted though(turns dark brown). You do this by putting it in a bath of 50% bleach and 50% water for a day. Then you wash off the bleach by rinsing it and putting in another bath, this time with water conditioner and water.

 

Make you put de nitrate in a slow portion of your filter. If there is too much flow over the de nitrate, it won't remove nitrates.

Purigen is like activated carbon, but it absorbs a lot more things, including nitrates. You'll need to recharge it after it gets exhausted though(turns dark brown). You do this by putting it in a bath of 50% bleach and 50% water for a day. Then you wash off the bleach by rinsing it and putting in another bath, this time with water conditioner and water.

I'll check look into purigen as well