HOB filter w/sock

[EOD]

I got tired of being at the LFS and forgetting what size all my different filters are so I decided to buy a pair of filters socks, a bottle of carbon, a bunch of that blue filter media, and a bunch of the white pillow stuffing filter media. I filled the socks with (from bottom to top) carbon, white, blue, white,carbon, white and stuffed the socks in behind the existing filters in 2 of my HOBs. Was this a good/bad idea? Also, since I've been checking in on the filters since I added the socks (2 weeks ago) I've noticed there's a lot of buildup in the filters. Is this good?

On the tank that does not have the biowheel, you can sort of see how the water comes out of the pump (left) and goes up over the filter and out of the hob....makes me worry that lots of the water isnt being filtered (forced through the media) Should I worry? Does it look like it is working?

 

[Full Metal Gundam]

looks like your filter pads are clogged time for a rinse or replacement.you filter sock idea is to restrictive all the water is bypassing it and can't pass thru your clogged filter pads that's why the water is so high in your filters.

 

[pi-eyed]

I use similiar methods on my hob filters. I buy carbon and use filter socks with green scrubbies. Too much carbon and clogged scrubbies will cause a back-up of water in your hob filter. Make sure that your sock is not tied to tight(to allow water to pass through the carbon) and that your filter media is rinsed with aquarium water every few days until it's broke in. This method has worked for me for a long time. I use this in my2)ac 110's, 2) emperor 350's and my emperor 400.

Hope this helps,
Chris

 

[Racersk]

I am doing the same thing with all 4 of my running Penguin HOB's. I do not use carbon, but the others have covered its use and cleaning, your carbon bag location is OK, the water just needs to contact the carbon, it is not like the filter pads that the water needs to be forced through.

I took one of my old filter pads and made that my cutting template for the poly and blue media, I also used some plastic mesh I had ($.99 per 8.5x11 sheet from the fabric store) and placed it in the HOB just before the biowheel, this backbone stops the poly pad from spilling out of the media basket and contacting the bio wheel.

IMO, carbon is not needed all the time, I would replace your carbon media bag with ceramic rings, they will help the bio load and overall health of your tanks more than the carbon helps...My $.02.