OVER TOP FILTERS

[doubledragon]

I use emp. 400's on all my tank's, I never clean both pad's at once, and never clean pad's and gravel on the same day's to preserve as much bb as possible.

QUESTION 1, Does the filter pad's really help with the bb. and if so how much, if any?

QUESTION 2, How often should filters be cleaned, and is there a such thing as overcleaning your pads.(NOT MEDIA, just the pad's that come standard with all filters)
Thanks

 

[WyldFya]

On emperor and penguin filters, the biological media is the bio-wheel. The pads are meant primarily for mech, although they will still house some BB. Biggest issue is keeping the wheel spinning.

 

[unstopable4700]

i run 2 400's on one tank. i dont know if it makes a deference but i put a layer of filter on the cartrideges and toss that when plugged. makes the bought ones last twice as long. and i change one filter out every 2 weeks

 

[doubledragon]

On emperor and penguin filters, the biological media is the bio-wheel. The pads are meant primarily for mech, although they will still house some BB. Biggest issue is keeping the wheel spinning.

Yup, Yup, exactly what I thought,Thank you! Just wanted to here other peoples opinions, on this issue, and maybe find some info that might help me in the long run... As said in another thread of mine, I've found if you point the spray tips as high as they go, it tend's to be the perfect momentum for the bio wheels, as they culture... Of course if they're brand new they will spin at about 40mph for the first couple of day's, week's, or so,till they're cultured... I've found no problems with them not moving though, besides the stop,slow,stop,slow, which is actually the desired speed. Thanks....

 

[Lonewolfblue]

What are you using in the media baskets? Most of your BB will not only be on the biowheels, but on the media that is in the baskets. You can change both pads no problem, I did it when I had my emperor's. I sprayed the pads out with a hose in the sink. Just don't rinse the media or biowheels with tap water. Don't rinse the biowheels off at all, but when the media in the baskets build up a little gunk, it needs to be rinsed. I rinsed mine maybe once a year. If you are properly maintaining the pads, then the rinsing of the media will be minimal, maybe yearly, like I did.

 

[ewurm]

On emperor and penguin filters, the biological media is the bio-wheel. The pads are meant primarily for mech, although they will still house some BB. Biggest issue is keeping the wheel spinning.

The wheel is why I use AquaClear. Bio media is in the filter box, so it's never a concern.

 

[doubledragon]

The wheel is why I use AquaClear. Bio media is in the filter box, so it's never a concern.

You don't like the bio-wheels? How come?

 

[doubledragon]

What are you using in the media baskets? Most of your BB will not only be on the biowheels, but on the media that is in the baskets. You can change both pads no problem, I did it when I had my emperor's. I sprayed the pads out with a hose in the sink. Just don't rinse the media or biowheels with tap water. Don't rinse the biowheels off at all, but when the media in the baskets build up a little gunk, it needs to be rinsed. I rinsed mine maybe once a year. If you are properly maintaining the pads, then the rinsing of the media will be minimal, maybe yearly, like I did.

Right now I don't have any media in the xtra containers, I'm tryin to figure out what is the best bet to go with.