Hello everyone!
I'm currently looking into possible ways for me to stop using filter cartridge's. I've seen people use foam sponges and bio rings on you tube. I'm wondering if there are other options that I haven't seen or if the two that I mentioned are the best ones to use. I'm looking into this as the motor in my filter is starting to get "finnicky" after water changes so I'm looking to replace it soon.
I currently have 10 gallon planted tank. The tank is home to 2 cories, 2 mystery snails, and 6 guppies.
Any information/tips is greatly welcomed.
Hello; If I understand your post, you hope to avoid buying the store-bought replacements. Depending on the particular style of cartridge there may be DIY fixes. The last decade or few I have been buying sheets of filter material at fish shops. I then cut it to fit. I use the original plastic frame after cutting away the old filter material.
There likely are similar materials which can be found in stores such as Wal-Mart. Back when using the old Metaframe HOB filters I used what I called polyfill in the filter box. In one old power filter I used glass marbles behind the polyfill. The marbles being my nod toward making a home for the beneficial bacteria.
Yes, you can run most any tank with sponge filters. I have done so many times. They have limited mechanical filtration but since water changes (WC) are pretty much universally recommended you can siphon out the detritus during a WC.
I know a common thing on here is the suggestion to "gently rinse" the old filter material in old tank water and then reuse the nasty filter in a tank. Same sort of approach about cleaning a filter body. The thinking being somehow the main place necessary beneficial bacteria (bb) live is in the filter.
Not exactly correct. Some bb do colonize the filters. Many other colonies on other surfaces throughout the tank. So, I do occasionally take a power filter off and do a cleaning. Not too often but without fear. A cleaning of the filter body, the impeller and inside the siphon tube can restore a filter to good working condition. A brush which fits inside the tubes helps. I also like to clean the hole in which the magnet & impeller fit.
I rinse with tap water, usually my garden hose. Some will be aghast at the thought and insist to rinse only with used tank water. No matter. Rinse with old tank water if you like.
To me reusing old filter material is similar to taking a shower and putting dirty underwear back on. I can suggest a strategy I use on some bigger tanks when someone goes off on removing the bb when throwing away dirty filter material. On one tank my HOB filter has two chambers. I replace only one chamber of filter floss at a time. That filter also has a removable grid I think is to house the bb which I leave alone.
In my smaller tanks with only one power filter, I run a secondary under gravel filter (UGF) or a sponge filter. Those provide surfaces for the bb to colonize and create some water flow.
Welcome and good luck.
