Changing mechanical and bio?

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frozeneclipse

frozeneclipse

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 29, 2008
73
1
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in the tank with my fish
Hi, I've been using Eheim 2217 canister for about 4 years. My question: should I replace some of the ceramic or bio balls any time soon? I only clean with tank water and change the filter pad. In addition, I just added ammonia remover pad for about 2 weeks. Do I need to take that out too? Thanks in advance! Any tips or suggestion are welcome.


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frozeneclipse said:
Hi, I've been using Eheim 2217 canister for about 4 years. My question: should I replace some of the ceramic or bio balls any time soon? I only clean with tank water and change the filter pad. In addition, I just added ammonia remover pad for about 2 weeks. Do I need to take that out too? Thanks in advance! Any tips or suggestion are welcome.


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Click to expand...

I would ditch the bio balls and ammo pad and squeeze more ceramic in there if it was up to me.


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Chizzle said:
:iagree: , bioballs seem to work better in wet drys. I prefer ceramic for cannister filters. The ammonia pad is essentially going to starve your bacteria, I would remove it.
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Ahhh! No wonder my water parameters are weird lately.... Definitely removing that ammonia pad tonight. Thank you so much.


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the only time you will need that ammonia pad is if your tank crashes(params)...and you need to re-cycle:(
 
Are you using actual bio balls or are you referring to the Eheim Substrat Pro (cocoa puff) original media?
 
deeda said:
Are you using actual bio balls or are you referring to the Eheim Substrat Pro (cocoa puff) original media?
Click to expand...

Yes the original cocoa puff-like balls lol. From bottom to top: I have eheim mechanical ( mini T shape ceremic)----> one thick blue coarse pad----> that bio-balls ( like cocoa puff) ----> fine thin blue filter---> white poly pad---> top
I just removed my ammo pad that I put between blue and white pads.
My mechanics and eheim bio took about 80% ( 40% - 40% evenly)


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You shouldn't have to replace the Eheim Substrat Pro though I find that it tends to get smaller in size over the years.

I like to vigorously rinse 1/3 of the bio-media in tap water when performing filter maintenance and actually use my hands to roll the media against each other under running tap water to help dislodge any bio-film and fine debris. This may or may not open up additional areas for the BB to colonize.

I know that Eheim recommends replacing 1/3 of the bio-media at filter cleaning but I don't follow this particular recommendation.
 
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