Question about aquaclear filter?
- Thread starter jd_energy
- Start date
what kind of fish are being used for the filter?
Forgive me if I'm wrong but don't you need the carbon? I realize the ammonia is an optional item but all the stuff I've learned for work tells me that you should have an ammonia insert in your filter..
Or are you guys all being sarcastic? Hard to tell round here sometimes...
Reasons to have them:
The Activated Carbon Insert will improve your aquarium's water color, clarity, and odor without changing the water's characteristics. Safely removes chlorine, smoke and aerosol spray contaminants. Its superior adsorption of impurities and broad spectrum organic compound removal make it one of the best inserts in the market. Supports beneficial bacterial colonies and can be used in both fresh and saltwater aquariums.
The Ammonia Remover will remove harmful ammonia and helps keep ammonia levels within tolerable limits. Reduces ammonia stress for fish. Provides numerous bacterial attachment points and supports beneficial bacterial colonies.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but don't you need the carbon? I realize the ammonia is an optional item but all the stuff I've learned for work tells me that you should have an ammonia insert in your filter..
Or are you guys all being sarcastic? Hard to tell round here sometimes...
Reasons to have them:
The Activated Carbon Insert will improve your aquarium's water color, clarity, and odor without changing the water's characteristics. Safely removes chlorine, smoke and aerosol spray contaminants. Its superior adsorption of impurities and broad spectrum organic compound removal make it one of the best inserts in the market. Supports beneficial bacterial colonies and can be used in both fresh and saltwater aquariums.
The Ammonia Remover will remove harmful ammonia and helps keep ammonia levels within tolerable limits. Reduces ammonia stress for fish. Provides numerous bacterial attachment points and supports beneficial bacterial colonies.
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i think the ammonia remover is only for new tanks that do not have bacteria to convert the ammonia. the ammonia remover will starve the bacteria in a mature tank.
i like to have carbon in my tanks too, but too lazy to go buy a new bag every couple weeks. in a mature tank, you dont really need carbon unless something polluted your tank and you need it out asap. water changes should be enough to remove contaminants.
in a new tank, the ammonia remover can help with new tank syndrome and the carbon can help the bacteria by providing lots of surface area.
i like to have carbon in my tanks too, but too lazy to go buy a new bag every couple weeks. in a mature tank, you dont really need carbon unless something polluted your tank and you need it out asap. water changes should be enough to remove contaminants.
in a new tank, the ammonia remover can help with new tank syndrome and the carbon can help the bacteria by providing lots of surface area.
i run carbon on and off time to time, depends on my mood lol, but if u run carbon wayyyy better to buy in bulk and get media bags, my setup is as follows
media bag with lava rocks
sponge
sponge
sometimes its
media bag with lava rocks
media bag with carbon
sponge
or when im hardcore
media bag with lava rocks
carbon
piece of filter floss
sponge
media bag with lava rocks
sponge
sponge
sometimes its
media bag with lava rocks
media bag with carbon
sponge
or when im hardcore
media bag with lava rocks
carbon
piece of filter floss
sponge
from bottom to top, sponge sponge carbon
1st sponge- acts like a prefilter and gets all the big debris
2nd sponge-gets missed debris and is mainly for bacteria growth
then carbon for chemical after the mechanical is done
theoretically i bet u could go
sponge
carbon
sponge
not sure, someone might point that out wrong, but spong sponge carbon is the safe way to go
1st sponge- acts like a prefilter and gets all the big debris
2nd sponge-gets missed debris and is mainly for bacteria growth
then carbon for chemical after the mechanical is done
theoretically i bet u could go
sponge
carbon
sponge
not sure, someone might point that out wrong, but spong sponge carbon is the safe way to go
FILTER AQMEDIA
wow...
so many options..
here's my take.
the filter was designed to be a mechincal-chemical (in that order) syste.
mechanical purification generally comes first in the theory of filteration ( foam ) , then chemical (carbon/others), and finally biological.
Running carbon first in the filter generally clogs and slimes carbon quickly, hindering its capacity.
Foam removes heavy debris before it gets to the carbon.
Ammo rid should be last, but is not necessary unless the tank is newly established, over hualed, or while medication processes are happening.
Those that want the addition biological process can add biostars in the filter ontop of the carbon. A very course foam (after the carbon, can also act as a biological source.
IMPORTANT
It is best to rinse you filter media in tank water, or dechlorinated water while cleaning. Many people avoid cleaning the filter on the same day as the water change, however there are equal people that will debate it, whatever.
The bottom line is the purpose of a filter is to ...
clear the water of debris ( mechanical )
detoxify and remove excess nutrients ( chemical )
and provide nitrification ( biological )
and really...
the more stable the last one is, the less you'll need the other two.
Hope this helps
BTW...
Generally speaking, (based on product knowledge and a little inside info) Hagan Carbon and AmRid , under normal conditions, has a tank life of about 45 days.
This is somewhat based on absorbsion capacity and carbon quality.
Better grades and quaility of Carbon is available and is benefical. Check it out.
Exodon
wow...
so many options..
here's my take.
the filter was designed to be a mechincal-chemical (in that order) syste.
mechanical purification generally comes first in the theory of filteration ( foam ) , then chemical (carbon/others), and finally biological.
Running carbon first in the filter generally clogs and slimes carbon quickly, hindering its capacity.
Foam removes heavy debris before it gets to the carbon.
Ammo rid should be last, but is not necessary unless the tank is newly established, over hualed, or while medication processes are happening.
Those that want the addition biological process can add biostars in the filter ontop of the carbon. A very course foam (after the carbon, can also act as a biological source.
IMPORTANT
It is best to rinse you filter media in tank water, or dechlorinated water while cleaning. Many people avoid cleaning the filter on the same day as the water change, however there are equal people that will debate it, whatever.
The bottom line is the purpose of a filter is to ...
clear the water of debris ( mechanical )
detoxify and remove excess nutrients ( chemical )
and provide nitrification ( biological )
and really...
the more stable the last one is, the less you'll need the other two.
Hope this helps
BTW...
Generally speaking, (based on product knowledge and a little inside info) Hagan Carbon and AmRid , under normal conditions, has a tank life of about 45 days.
This is somewhat based on absorbsion capacity and carbon quality.
Better grades and quaility of Carbon is available and is benefical. Check it out.
Exodon
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"detoxify and remove excess nutrients ( chemical )"
Plants do this, which is why we dont use carbon in optimum growth situations (high light-co2)
Technically if you have any toxic chemicals in your aquarium your fish would be dead anyway. dechlorinators should chelate and detoxify this stuff before even sees a filter media.
Plants do this, which is why we dont use carbon in optimum growth situations (high light-co2)
Technically if you have any toxic chemicals in your aquarium your fish would be dead anyway. dechlorinators should chelate and detoxify this stuff before even sees a filter media.
um...
True Somonas, plants will remove nutrients and coonsume nitrates,etc.
In order for them to be considered "excess", we assume that means there are more than the system (in its current condition) can handle.
Adding more plants may benefit this, and do so naturally. However, for some people, who say....
dont want live plants, or have incandecscent, or low light levels, whatever, ... Carbon, can be an asset.
There are probably more among those that are into aquarium just for the fun, and not so much of the "science". I tend to assume that majority of hobbists are not as serious as I and give out information based on that.
Most of these products and conditioners and systems are designed for these people. Keeping it simple right?
Fortunatly for those that like to endulge fully in this hobby, there are plenty of challenges available, and collegues to share it with.
Personally, I use as little as possible that isnt natural, in an aquarium, and encourage my customers to follow.
I wasnt sure of what your post meant. If your intention was to provide more information to my post, thanks.
Exodon
True Somonas, plants will remove nutrients and coonsume nitrates,etc.
In order for them to be considered "excess", we assume that means there are more than the system (in its current condition) can handle.
Adding more plants may benefit this, and do so naturally. However, for some people, who say....
dont want live plants, or have incandecscent, or low light levels, whatever, ... Carbon, can be an asset.
There are probably more among those that are into aquarium just for the fun, and not so much of the "science". I tend to assume that majority of hobbists are not as serious as I and give out information based on that.
Most of these products and conditioners and systems are designed for these people. Keeping it simple right?
Fortunatly for those that like to endulge fully in this hobby, there are plenty of challenges available, and collegues to share it with.
Personally, I use as little as possible that isnt natural, in an aquarium, and encourage my customers to follow.
I wasnt sure of what your post meant. If your intention was to provide more information to my post, thanks.
Exodon
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