Changing out vs. regenerating media

[Diamondhitch]

I am relatively new to this and was under the impression that the bio media, carbon, and ammonia media lasted indefinitely but while setting up a new filter I read that they need to be replaced monthly. Is that true or just a bunch of crap perpetrated to sell more media. I have never changed them out before and things seem to be just fine so far.

[rumblesushi]

hahaha if you changed your bio media monthly your tank would never cycle :D

The only thing you'd need to change monthly is carbon and filter floss/polywool.

Then again you probably shouldn't use carbon anyway, unless it's for something specific.

[gomezladdams]

What kind of filter?

[Diamondhitch]

I have 2 XP3's and a new FX5.

They (Fluval) recommended changing 50% of the bio media monthly, seemed odd.

Why do you say no carbon? and why cant I just throw a bag of carbon in the dryer to regenerate it? I have a set of scent lock clothes that absorb body odor with activated carbon and a quick spin in the dryer puts it back to full strength.

How about ammonia removing chips? Replace them? Regenerate them? Leave them at the store???

What is the best way to set up the FX5 for a 180 containing SA cichlids? (media wise that is.

[messiner]

carbon and ammo chips will leach impurities back into the tank after a month or so. id stay away from them unless you need them for removing meds or somthing.

[Scottfree]

Use Biomedia and floss only, don't change the biomedia and rinse the floss on occassion...

[northerndarkness]

i agree with all the posts above, but i still use carbon to help reduce the scent in the tanks. dunno if thats bad but my 55gal is near my bed and id preffer it not having any scent at all heh

[Scottfree]

i agree with all the posts above, but i still use carbon to help reduce the scent in the tanks. dunno if thats bad but my 55gal is near my bed and id preffer it not having any scent at all heh

None of my tanks smell in the least, and I don't use any chemical filtration (yes my defecations don't stink) :nilly:

[Dr Joe]

i agree with all the posts above, but i still use carbon to help reduce the scent in the tanks. dunno if thats bad but my 55gal is near my bed and id preffer it not having any scent at all heh

What are your water spec.s?

Shouldn't smell.

Ammonia smell?

Stagnant smell?

And charcoal takes the smell away?

Dr Joe

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[Dr Joe]

I have 2 XP3's and a new FX5.

They (Fluval) recommended changing 50% of the bio media monthly, seemed odd.

Why do you say no carbon? and why cant I just throw a bag of carbon in the dryer to regenerate it? I have a set of scent lock clothes that absorb body odor with activated carbon and a quick spin in the dryer puts it back to full strength.

How about ammonia removing chips? Replace them? Regenerate them? Leave them at the store???

What is the best way to set up the FX5 for a 180 containing SA cichlids? (media wise that is.


Use carbon for removal of medications.

I regenerate both. with diminishing results (10-20% loss on charcoal each time). But I save a little even after electricity expense.

A dryer really doesn't get hot enough to expel the chemicals absorbed by the charcoal. Use an old cookie sheet in the oven set at about 400 degrees for an hour. And NO you can't bake anything else at the same time. :grinno:

If you can get a biological event going in the filter you may not need either in it.

Ever thought about a wet/dry filter?

Dr Joe

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[skinless]

i abandoned carbon for good months ago without any noticeable swings in my tanks upkeep, negatively at least. i am under the impression that some bio media should be tossed once or twice a year but never all at once. and the mech floss i like to use can usually be rinsed a couple times in tank water before getting pitched. good luck