reusing filter media?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

batang_mcdo

Polypterus
MFK Member
Apr 24, 2006
2,110
156
96
Manila
I'm planning to reuse my canister filter.
i lost 3 arowanas before and i left the media in the canister for about 2 weeks turned off.
when i poened it up . it smelled of rotten eggs.
I was planning to use the canister. and also the media. they smell of rotten eggs. I washed them already in tap water, and i've soaked them in salt salution.
can i reuse the media? specially the ceramic rings?
I'm planning to add it to my tank which already has filytration. just additional filtration.
can i reuse the media?
 
i wouldnt, but thats just me. whatever bacteria you had on there is now dead and rotten (not to mention there might be alot of ammonia in there now), i would just scrub out the canister really well and rebuy any media.
 
It would probably be OK to boil the ceramic media for a while - 30mins or so.
That should steralise it, then just treat it like new stuff and re-use it.
The smell will be dead bacteria and general tank gunge, due to the filter being off for so long, so give it a good clean before re-use

Cheers

Ian
 
To make sure you remove any organic residue I would soak the rings in hydrogen peroxide overnight then boil for 15-30 minutes.
 
Yes you can reuse the media, no worries at all. You should boil it for a while first which will clean detritus that has been trapped in the pores and you'll be good to go
 
thnaks! will clean my ceramic rings.
btw how about zeolite stones?
i have some used ones. but hevmn;t used for a while.
can i soak them in salt water then sundry for a few days?
 
After soaking in bleach solution. I rinsed the ceramic rings. then i boiled them and sundried them. will this have gotten rid of the bleach used?
 
what about a mild chlorine solution then rinse well and use a water treatment on it
that was suggested to me by the owner of my lfs
 
batang_mcdo;1450972; said:
After soaking in bleach solution. I rinsed the ceramic rings. then i boiled them and sundried them. will this have gotten rid of the bleach used?
Click to expand...

Letting it sit out will get rid of the bleach, as long as it was pure. I would have just rinsed everything out really well with hot water, then started the cycle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom