29 Gallon Tank Why Does My Filter Media Keep Bulding Out

I have a 29 gallon tank with 1 goldfish. I changed out my filter media probably about a month or so ago. I was using the standard store filter media that comes with the filters. I changed it out, threw that away, and now I'm using Black coarse sponges, aqua clear sponges and ceremic media in a bag. I take the aqua clear, media bad and 1 course black sponge out and rinse it off every water change. I've been noticing that after about 5 or 6 days after rinsing and doing water changes, my media keeps buldging out. I shove everything down in my filter, but it seems like it keeps rising to the top. Does anyone else have this issue? How do I fix it? My filter isn't packed packed per say so I know it's not overcrowded at all. Here's a picture attached of what I'm talking about. Normally they are way down in there and not that close to the top, but after about 5-6 days it always pushes to the top.

 

You might change up your filter media layering strategy.
The bottom sponges are apparently clogging up & rising.

 

The bottom line is that it's pushing up because the media is restricting the flow. It appears you also have some water coming out the overflow area.

The white AC sponges are fairly fine. Eventually, after a lot of use, a simple rinse in a bucket of tank water isn't always enough to clear them in my experience. Especially if you added more media. Either blast it really good with a hose now and then or remove it and only use the coarse black foam, which isn't so prone to clogging.

 

Yeah, the AC sponges need a rigorous squeezing out. Just rinsing off isn't enough.

 

When I take my sponges out, I plunge them in my buckets of tank water and physically squeeze then until they run clear and my ceremic I hold it in my hand and make sure its clear and clean also..... I didn't think I had too much in there... I use the white bc it keeps my water clear.... the black course to catch particles ... what do yall suggest?
The layers I have are 2 black course sponges at the bottom side by side to fill the entire bottom space, white aqua clear sponge x1 then my ceremic rings then black course sponge beside my ceremic rings by my filter....

 

When I take my sponges out, I plunge them in my buckets of tank water and physically squeeze then until they run clear and my ceremic I hold it in my hand and make sure its clear and clean also..... I didn't think I had too much in there... I use the white bc it keeps my water clear....

I do the same, and things would be fine for several days. Then the entire basket of media would begin to push up again. I decided to replace the old white AC foam block with a new one and all was good for many months. I believe blasting the well used unit clean with pressure would work too. Ultimately I decided to eliminate the AC foam, and now only use the courser Poret 30 ppi foam and no longer have any issues.

Also, when I tried stacking (any) foam all the way to the top I also had basket rising issues. There is a point where too much foam, especially the finer types, will cause this. Not on the first day, but a few days down the road. If I have to rinse my media every week to stop it from jumping out I figure something needs adjusting.

 

I do the same, and things would be fine for several days. Then the entire basket of media would begin to push up again. I decided to replace the old white AC foam block with a new one and all was good for many months. I believe blasting the well used unit clean with pressure would work too. Ultimately I decided to eliminate the AC foam, and now only use the courser Poret 30 ppi foam and no longer have any issues.

Also, when I tried stacking (any) foam all the way to the top I also had basket rising issues. There is a point where too much foam, especially the finer types, will cause this. Not on the first day, but a few days down the road. If I have to rinse my media every week to stop it from jumping out I figure something needs adjusting.

So just take out the white and leave the black and ceremic rings

 

Just for a “test” with your issue, and I do this with my AC’s.. Use the stock white sponge in the bottom of the filter holder, then I use a handful of bulk filter floss next, on top of that I put the bag of AC ceramic rings. Make sure the media basket/holder “clicks” in when you push it down into the filter. It should lock in. Right or wrong, I like the filter floss between the sponge and bio rings that come with the AC filter. I got rid of the black bag sack. Don’t over stuff the holder and make sure it locks in when you layer and push down, you’ll feel it.

 

Just for a “test” with your issue, and I do this with my AC’s.. Use the stock white sponge in the bottom of the filter holder, then I use a handful of bulk filter floss next, on top of that I put the bag of AC ceramic rings. Make sure the media basket/holder “clicks” in when you push it down into the filter. It should lock in. Right or wrong, I like the filter floss between the sponge and bio rings that come with the AC filter. I got rid of the black bag sack. Don’t over stuff the holder and make sure it locks in when you layer and push down, you’ll feel it.

I don't know what you Mean by "lock"? I'm still using the factory filter but don't have that blue plastic piece. I threw it away when I switched media over. I may also have too much media. I shove everyrhing down to the bottom. Maybe losing some black sponges may help?

 

So just take out the white and leave the black and ceremic rings

You could. It is good to have extra foam, but not if it's cutting down the flow and pushing out the entire media package.

You could fit 2 black foams, even if you have to cut one down. This is why I buy 1" and 1.5" sheets of Poret foam in 30 or even 20 ppi. Cut to fit the filter and then stack 'em. This way you can clean the bottom one as aggressively as needed place it on top of the others, preserving much of the beneficial bacteria.

 

Sorry, I was assuming you have an Aqua Clear brand filter. They have a basket that locks in when you put it into the filter. What filter are you using?

 

Sorry, I was assuming you have an Aqua Clear brand filter. They have a basket that locks in when you put it into the filter. What filter are you using?

It's a top fin filter came with the 29 gallon top fin aquarium kit.

You could. It is good to have extra foam, but not if it's cutting down the flow and pushing out the entire media package.

You could fit 2 black foams, even if you have to cut one down. This is why I buy 1" and 1.5" sheets of Poret foam in 30 or even 20 ppi. Cut to fit the filter and then stack 'em. This way you can clean the bottom one as aggressively as needed place it on top of the others, preserving much of the beneficial bacteria.

My black foam is cut to fit... I just want my water to be clear but also not pudge my media out