When to change biomax & bio balls.
- Thread starter Newfe
- Start date
Bio-max - never.
bio-balls - never.
sponges - never, but they do need to be rinsed out with dechlorinated water occasionally.
And no, filter type doesn't make a difference (although your flow rate will affect how often you need to rinse out the sponges).
bio-balls - never.
sponges - never, but they do need to be rinsed out with dechlorinated water occasionally.
And no, filter type doesn't make a difference (although your flow rate will affect how often you need to rinse out the sponges).
drgnfrc13;4357932; said:
Agreed. Except I rinse bio media in tank water 2-3 times a year. And sponges gets rinsed and squeezed in hot tap water.
drgnfrc13;4357932; said:
^^ I agree ^^
But keep in mind the cleaner the water is that passes through your bio media the less you will need to rinse it. If you let (mechanically) polluted water flow through your bio media the pores will get clogged and it will be far less effective. Once tiny pores are clogged it may not be easy, or even possible, to thoroughly rinse them, which is the situation where the manufacturer is suggesting you replace them.
So if you set the filter up in ideal conditions, the water flowing through the bio media will not have physical matter in it at all, and the bio media can/will last forever. Whatever degree your filter is not set up ideal will be the rate at which you will need to rinse or replace the media.
I've never changes mine, can't forsee a situation where I would need to. As long as you rinse them out when needed, you don't need to replace them unless they start falling apart.
A friend of mine has the same biomax rings for about 5 years now, still looking almost like new
A friend of mine has the same biomax rings for about 5 years now, still looking almost like new
I never change mine, and I know the pours are clogged, but I solve this buy having more bio media then needed for the tank. I have bio max "Fluval" Bio Matrix "Seachem" and Lava Rocks "Mother Nature". In addition I have like 40lbs or so of Base Rocks in my tank, I know I have more bio media then I need because not only is the tank 0, 0, 40, it was able to keep up with a 1gph drip system.
only add more 
Why? You are just killing some of your benificial bacteria doing that, so what's the point? (it's not like waste material doesn't come out in regular aquarium water)david503bk;4359026; said: