Now I know the nitrogen cycle and how to do filter maintenance and all the basic stuff. But there's still a thing that baffles me.
When I got into the hobby, I got a TopFin 37-gallon starter kit. (Back then I was clueless on which brand is good or bad) After I a couple of months after setup, the tank was doing good; no leaks, lights and heaters are good. But then I realized the fact that everybody says to change the filter cartridge monthly but it baffled me at the time. I knew what the purpose of it is: to raise BB, trap debris and it contains carbon to remove tannins and odours. I thought that if I changed it, the BB will die. I was right but I changed it anyway and then I did some research and found out that you were only supposed to change it when it falls apart. There is no choice though because the carbon will clog up the filter in a month and the BB lives in the mechanical filtration. That also confused me as when I changed it, the water flow decreased and the filter box overflowed down the sides which tell me that: if I do change it, I kill BB, if I don't change it, the filter basically stops working. It's a hard decision to make.
of course, now I realized that the Topfin filters are poorly designed and the media is cramped together giving you maintenance troubles. I HATE TOP FIN FILTERS!
But it's too late I have it already.
So my idea to solve this problem is to entirely get a new filter.
My first preference was the Marineland penguin bio-wheel power filter 200. (Has separate bio-media that doesn't need to be changed for a couple of years minimum) and has chemical filtration baskets and mechanical filtration cartridges). But then I did some research and found out that the filter was too wide to fit.
so I moved to my second choice, the Fluval C-series. The C-4 was too big, so I settled on the Fluval C-3. I watched a couple of setup videos and it was the first-ever HOB filter to have 5-stage filtration! and was a crossover between a canister and a power filter. Sure enough, it had 2 foam pads (1 coarse and 1 fine) and specified BB living area with bio-tubes and a basket for carbon and ammonia remover (zeo-carb).
This was the BEST filter ever for my tank. It fit the dimensions too.
I haven't bought it yet but I want your advice. Should I get it? The topfin one suck and is giving me lots of troubles and this will definitely reduce maintenance and increase water quality. Don't you think?
Just for me to know... Has anyone actually managed to maintain the Topfin ones? What was your strategy?
If I do (which I probably will), I'll keep both filters running for a couple of weeks to grow the bacteria colony in the new filter and once it's stable, I'll remove the old one.
Heres the Bio media for the C-3
When I got into the hobby, I got a TopFin 37-gallon starter kit. (Back then I was clueless on which brand is good or bad) After I a couple of months after setup, the tank was doing good; no leaks, lights and heaters are good. But then I realized the fact that everybody says to change the filter cartridge monthly but it baffled me at the time. I knew what the purpose of it is: to raise BB, trap debris and it contains carbon to remove tannins and odours. I thought that if I changed it, the BB will die. I was right but I changed it anyway and then I did some research and found out that you were only supposed to change it when it falls apart. There is no choice though because the carbon will clog up the filter in a month and the BB lives in the mechanical filtration. That also confused me as when I changed it, the water flow decreased and the filter box overflowed down the sides which tell me that: if I do change it, I kill BB, if I don't change it, the filter basically stops working. It's a hard decision to make.
of course, now I realized that the Topfin filters are poorly designed and the media is cramped together giving you maintenance troubles. I HATE TOP FIN FILTERS!
But it's too late I have it already.
So my idea to solve this problem is to entirely get a new filter.
My first preference was the Marineland penguin bio-wheel power filter 200. (Has separate bio-media that doesn't need to be changed for a couple of years minimum) and has chemical filtration baskets and mechanical filtration cartridges). But then I did some research and found out that the filter was too wide to fit.
so I moved to my second choice, the Fluval C-series. The C-4 was too big, so I settled on the Fluval C-3. I watched a couple of setup videos and it was the first-ever HOB filter to have 5-stage filtration! and was a crossover between a canister and a power filter. Sure enough, it had 2 foam pads (1 coarse and 1 fine) and specified BB living area with bio-tubes and a basket for carbon and ammonia remover (zeo-carb).
This was the BEST filter ever for my tank. It fit the dimensions too.
I haven't bought it yet but I want your advice. Should I get it? The topfin one suck and is giving me lots of troubles and this will definitely reduce maintenance and increase water quality. Don't you think?
Just for me to know... Has anyone actually managed to maintain the Topfin ones? What was your strategy?
If I do (which I probably will), I'll keep both filters running for a couple of weeks to grow the bacteria colony in the new filter and once it's stable, I'll remove the old one.
Heres the Bio media for the C-3
