How to optimize my HOB filter?

[Kelly_Aquatics]

So I have a 75g that I plan on planting lightly to mediumly I have a emperor 400 and aqua clear 70 I have already converted my aqua clear from mechanical to biological and would like to do the same with my other hob right now im running 3 cartriges with carbon in them and one compartment is full of sponge and ceramic rings media so what should I do just spong? to help polish water too or two full of media and two spong? let me know thanks!

 

[tlindsey]

So I have a 75g that I plan on planting lightly to mediumly I have a emperor 400 and aqua clear 70 I have already converted my aqua clear from mechanical to biological and would like to do the same with my other hob right now im running 3 cartriges with carbon in them and one compartment is full of sponge and ceramic rings media so what should I do just spong? to help polish water too or two full of media and two spong? let me know thanks!

I personally don't use carbon so extra bio or mechanical such as a sponge or floss replace the carbon.
Try a sponge if it will fit.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

ok what is the best way to swap them out? just gradually?

 

[tlindsey]

ok what is the best way to swap them out? just gradually?

If it's just the carbon or a cartridge being replaced doesn't matter when you do it.

 

[neutrino]

There are multiple options, depends a bit on what you want to accomplish, whether you want to go full economy, spend more on media, etc. As an experiment I've run filters on poly floss only-- full economy-- and either rinsed or replaced partially as needed. Beneficial bacteria colonizes poly fluff just like any other media; personally, I prefer it to loading a filter with sponges (easier to rinse, super cheap to replace if you use pillow fluff instead of "aquarium" fluff). Or you can do something like this with one or both filters.

Sometimes I've set up one filter primarily for bio and a second primarily for mechanical water polishing-- poly fluff can be surprisingly effective for water polishing if you pack it a bit and/or give it a little time to mature.

 

[FJB]

You have many options. Among the best, sponges cut to the correct size (mechanical/biological, depending on how you rinse them).
Although I use mostly Aquaclear fiilters, for Penguin or Emperor type filters, I like this cages (see below), filled with ceramic rings.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

ok I will try that have a couple of them

 

[lp85253]

i would double sponge the ac 70 .. find some *big* sponges for the emp 400 and cut to size .. easy ,efficient and cheap.. those sponges will last years...and sponges hold lots of bacteria...

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

ok im pretty happy with how the ac70 its just the emperor so maybe I will do half ceramic rings half sponge

 

[duanes]

Agree with the above, its all-about what you want (or expect) from a filter.
Do you want particulate free polished water (aesthetics?)?
If so you may want to fill one of the filters with that polishing media.
Or....Do you overstock and need extra bio filtration, but aren't concerned with particulate?
If so....then extra biomedia with sponges may be your ticket.
About carbon....do you want lush plant growth?
Some people claim carbon removes some of the compounds plants need for good growth.
I also never use carbon, unless I have a certain compound or odor I want out of the tank.
I also don't care about crystal clear, particulate free water, so as far as mechanical, I just use Porret foam, which gets the big stuff, and also acts as extra biomedia.
The most important thing to me is not actual filtration, but water movement which promotes gas exchange.