eheim biological filtration lifespan

[jasoncambs]

hi ,

i just picked up a secondhand ehiem 2080 pro 3 ,,

it came with all the filtration etc has been running for 4 years and i kept it all wet for the trip home from where i bought it,

my question is,,,,,

do you think its ok to use the old bio balls and hoops or should i replace it all and start afresh,,i know all the biological bacteria will be no use now since its all been washed etc , but wondered if this stuff has 'length of service' before you have to throw it away ,

will it recolonise if i put it together and start to cycle a tank ??

i looked in my instructions for my other pro 3 and cannot find a recomended replacement time for the stuff,,

any ideas ??

 

[rallysman]

As long as it's not falling apart it should be fine. The only other bad thing would be if it's completely clogged and you can't clean it.

 

[jojo_nature]

I would think as long as there was no major problem's with tank that the ehiem was running it should be fine .

 

[jasoncambs]

As long as it's not falling apart it should be fine. The only other bad thing would be if it's completely clogged and you can't clean it.

the intake tubes had a wall of fish **** about 3mm thick on entry to the filter , which makes me think there has been some heavy soiling ,, the balls and hoops were washed on my arrival to collect , but a stripdown of the rest of it showed its age by the thickness of poop built up in places ,, i have a small amount of spare bio balls new that came with my other filter, maybe enough to half and half old and new ,

 

[jasoncambs]

but not bad for £99 ,, thats my bargain of the month lol,, i can start getting tank 2 cycled soon , yay,