When to replace Bio, and do I have enough Bio?

[Crazed Demasoni]

Hey guys,

I've had an AC110 running for ~ a year on my 29g, and it's a champ. I'm just curious about whether or not I should replace some of the bio media once a year or so. Right now there's some algae growing on it (just a bit on the edge closest to tank because of my lighting), or just rinse it off.

I'm also going the route of a planted tank, and changing from black gravel to eco complete. Do you think my AC110 has enough BB in it to prevent a mini cycle when I change substrates, especially if I keep most of the water? I'm moving 20 mins away, and plan on changing the substrate when I break down the tank. I ask because I have a pair of rams in the tank, and they're relatively fragile fish.

Thanks!

 

[MATTCB]

I would rinse the media with the tank water from time to time as long as its not falling apart it is ok. Your move should be ok just dont change any media carbon or sponge included just try to keep temp and ph as stable as possible.

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

I'm going to throw the 2 bags of eco complete into a tote, then gravel vac the tank a bit into it. I'm also saving ~10g of water, possibly 15g if I can find a 3rd water jug. I'm also going to make sure the media stays wet etc.

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

Anyone else?

 

[knifegill]

I would do as suggested. Keep it wet and it will live. Shouldn't need replacing. I've had the same sponges for years.

 

[jcardona1]

As to the question of you having enough bio media, if you are showing 0 ammonia, then you don't need more media. Adding more media will not give your more bacteria in your case.

 

[Burto]

I wouldn't replace the bio media, just rinse off any crud that's collected on it every couple months.

An AC110 on a 29G is a huge amount of filtration, the great majority of the beneficial bacteria should be inhabiting the filter media. As long as you treat the filter media carefully between setups you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

I wouldn't replace the bio media, just rinse off any crud that's collected on it every couple months.

An AC110 on a 29G is a huge amount of filtration, the great majority of the beneficial bacteria should be inhabiting the filter media. As long as you treat the filter media carefully between setups you shouldn't have any problems.

That's pretty much what I was looking to hear. I have a light that stands a few inches above the tank, so I fill it all the way to the border the hood generally sits on (on the trim). The current is minimal when the water is high enough, so I just have to maintain it up there.

 

[Laticauda]

When are you moving? What I would do, a few weeks beforehand, I'd bag up all the gravel in the current tank (tied up in stocking/pantyhose) and remove a bag or two every week during water changes, and add more biomedia to your filters, that way the bacteria will colonize on the media in your filter as you remove the gravel from the tank.

When you move, if you are going to have it disassembled for more than 30 minutes, put the cycled media in a bucket with an air stone, to keep it alive w/oxygenated water. It needs to be wet, and oxygenated in order to survive.

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

I'm moving thursday or friday. I think there should be enough bio within the filter, becuase for the past month there's been an 8" pleco (don't kill me) in the tank too so the bio load is being reduced at the same time. Pleco is either going to my friend again (his tank cracked so I ended up with it) or being donated to the LFS.