How often do you change? XP3
- Thread starter nsaulty2
- Start date
I actually don't use the biochemzorb at all. Bottom tray is loaded with the black foam 20 and 30 pads top two trays have a combo of biochem stars, matrix and substat pro sandwiched between white filter floss. I run 2 and I rinse the black pads and floss out on alternating weeks, every three weeks or so. About once every 6 weeks for each. Other then rinsing the floss I never touch the bio.
Ive had my xp3's running for two years and haven't replaced the media yet. I give the occasional rinse in old tank water but that's all.
I go about 6 months before servicing my filters, unless I notice decreased flow rates. I pull the black foam, rinse/wash it and then set the filter back up.
nsaulty2;4757739; said:
Leave the bio balls alone...The bacteria that grows upon them are healthy assets to the filter.............
my xp3 i have full of fluval biomax the bottom tray has the sponges and the rest is bio media thats all i run in it, i stopped using poly wool just because it would clog faster. clean once a month maybe rinse the sponges in tank water and thats it
At one time, I had a XP3 full of crushed coral....All three trays were filled with stuff.......I used the coral media because I heard it is a great biological filter media..............
I have two, one on my 55 & one on my 65.
The 55 has from bottom to top:
tray1:
fluval pre-filter
20 & 30ppi pad
Tray 2 & 3:
a handful of ceramic rings that I had, the rest is packed with pot scrubbies. I think I get 13 or 14 of em to a tray, don't remember. So far that tank has been running for a couple months and I've only opened the canister once...that was because I noticed about 30 convict fry swimming around inside it
The 65 is the same basic setup, except instead of pot scrubbies its loaded with ceramic rings (had more money on hand when i set that one up
) same basic principle though...I usually go at LEAST a month before I even think about opening the canister, then I put it off for a few more weeks Even then, I don't really ever get done and think...'man, that was absolutely necessary.'
I think basically you can just go with, 'wait till it screws up, then open it to fix it.'
The 55 has from bottom to top:
tray1:
fluval pre-filter
20 & 30ppi pad
Tray 2 & 3:
a handful of ceramic rings that I had, the rest is packed with pot scrubbies. I think I get 13 or 14 of em to a tray, don't remember. So far that tank has been running for a couple months and I've only opened the canister once...that was because I noticed about 30 convict fry swimming around inside it
The 65 is the same basic setup, except instead of pot scrubbies its loaded with ceramic rings (had more money on hand when i set that one up
) same basic principle though...I usually go at LEAST a month before I even think about opening the canister, then I put it off for a few more weeks Even then, I don't really ever get done and think...'man, that was absolutely necessary.'I think basically you can just go with, 'wait till it screws up, then open it to fix it.'