Sponge changes

[Theillusivefish]

HI guys,

My internal filter has a sponge I can wash with carbon media. Once a week I clean it in the old tank water when doing the change.

Should the sponge and/or the carbon media and verbally how often if so?

I feel the sponge is basically limitless if I keep it clean when I change the water, but I feel the carbon media may have a shelf life.

I’ve had the same since I set the tank up in December 2019.

Thanks in advance

 

[ProudPapa]

As you said, sponges don't need to be replaced until they're falling apart. The carbon has a limited time that it's effective, but you only need it for specific purposes, like removing medication, anyway. I don't use any in my tanks.

 

[Theillusivefish]

I’ve heard this about carbon before. It seems to be the standard media in the replaceable filter cartridges. Any idea why that might be?

 

[IHaveADogToo]

Carbon is "chemical filtration" that is often used as a water polisher. It's good at removing medication, but also tannins, so if you have driftwood or leaf litter in the tank, carbon can help keep the water from turning brown. Personally, I only use carbon on occasion, and I use filter floss in it's place instead full time. I've found filter floss to be an effective water polisher, as long as I'm not trying to remove chemicals, meds, or tannins from the water.

That being said, yes, carbon does have a shelf life. And there are reports (albeit far and few between) of old carbon that's been left in a filter causing health issues in some fish. If you use choose to use carbon full time, most people suggest you use a re-usable bag and just buy a jar of carbon (you can get these items at any aquarium store, even the big box pet stores). They suggest you replace the carbon once every 30 - 90 days.

 

[Theillusivefish]

So the general opinion is that for normal filtration it’s not exactly needed?

I was planning on replacing it with what seems to generally be called “bio-media” (like shaped pitted stone things/balls), and put some poly filter in with the sponge.

Does this sound like a sensible thing to do? It doesn’t seem to me there’s any real need for the carbon for the tank at this time.

 

[ProudPapa]

That sounds like a good plan.

 

[Mongo75]

So the general opinion is that for normal filtration it’s not exactly needed?

I was planning on replacing it with what seems to generally be called “bio-media” (like shaped pitted stone things/balls), and put some poly filter in with the sponge.

Does this sound like a sensible thing to do? It doesn’t seem to me there’s any real need for the carbon for the tank at this time.

Yeah, you pretty much nailed it. Personally, I think the manufacturers of filter cartridges care less about the health of your livestock than selling more cartridges. Every time you throw away an old cartridge, you're throwing away the BB living in that cartridge, while adding to the coffers of the retailer and manufacturer.

Most people use activated carbon for short periods and for a specific purpose, be it removing meds, odors, tannin, or whatever.

Modding your filter to use sponges, floss and bio-media is a common practice, and highly advisable. A lot of bio-media manufacturers also claim their media is better because it removes or eliminates, or reduces this, that and the other. My only thoughts on that are anecdotal, but Matrix has done nothing to remove, reduce or eliminate my nitrates. Take that as you will, but I use plants and water changes to control my nitrates IMHO, the key to any bio-media, whether it's lava rock, plastic balls, ceramic, or whatever, is it needs to be very, very porous in order to provide as many nooks and crannies as possible for the BB to colonize. The more, the better.

 

[Theillusivefish]

Take that as you will, but I use plants and water changes to control my nitrates IMHO, the key to any bio-media, whether it's lava rock, plastic balls, ceramic, or whatever, is it needs to be very, very porous in order to provide as many nooks and crannies as possible for the BB to colonize. The more, the better.

I’ve been slowly doing the same, I think this filter set up change will be the last thing for a long while.

I started off with plastic plants back in December. Partially due to these I lost a fish, replaced it and then lost that fish. I then decided to swap out the plastic plants for real ones, this sparked me reading about plant care and the benefits of real plants. The whole time I’ve been lightly researching filter media and couldn’t figure out why you would change it monthly if you want to maintain healthy bacteria for the fish. I asked in a thread here about re-using what I had and everyone confirmed what I thought.

Since then I looked more into carbon vs bio-media and keep coming across carbon being more for what I would call a “deep clean” if you want to remove additives. I’ve since been using fertiliser for the plants and it seems to point to the carbon removing this, as I would consider it an additive.

I also am becoming of the opinion bio media and such is probably better for the fish than a variety of additives. I’m working with the theory just tap safe and a well maintained tank, and a good varied diet offers more benefits in terms of healthy fish.

I could be wrong, but unless you really need it for treatment, all the additives and replaceable filters and such seem like a money making ploy.

Edit : the back left corner has a lava rock holding the plant down.