Aquaclear filter media question

[angc84]

Hi guys,
I just started using my first AquaClear 30 filter. I was wondering if the biomax in the media bag should be completely submerged in water? I think I put the biomax in the bag too tightly together....so instead of having a flat bed of the ring, I have one big ball of them. The very top part of the media is sticking out of the filter water...would that be alright? Should I find a different filter media bag to re-bag them? Where should I find those?

Thank you again!

[Taurus]

It should be ok if there is just a little bit out of the water. Can you undo the mesh bag red sealing device and flatten the biomax, then reseal? I like to leave a little extra mesh on top of the seal in case I need to add seaded media into the bag. But any mesh media bag should work and in a pinch I've used the thigh high nylon trick that Jaster has patented. Just place the biomax into the toe of the nylon, tie it off, and cut away the extra that you do not need. The nylon is much more forgiving, too. It streches quite a bit. :22:

[angc84]

It should be ok if there is just a little bit out of the water. Can you undo the mesh bag red sealing device and flatten the biomax, then reseal? I like to leave a little extra mesh on top of the seal incase I need to add seaded media into the bag. But any mesh media bag should work and in a pinch I've used the thigh high nylon trick that Jaster has patented. Just place the biomax into the toe of the nylon, tie it off, and cut away the extra that you do not need. The nylon is much more forgiving, too. It streches quite a bit. :22:


Oh man...It was the first time I used an AC filter and I cut all the extra mesh off!! That's what I am panicking over. =(

Does it matter what color the thigh high nylon is? =D

[Taurus]

First, don't panic. Second, I like the natural skin tone nylons because you can buy a 4 pack at Walmart for around $1. :22:

[angc84]

First, don't panic. Second, I like the natural skin tone nylons because you can buy a 4 pack at Walmart for around $1. :22:


=) I think that's what I will do. Thank you!

[Wild Turkey]

First, don't panic. Second, I like the natural skin tone nylons because you can buy a 4 pack at Walmart for around $1. :22:

Major agree. Best media bags you will ever buy for the price.

[robflanker]

Second, I like the natural skin tone nylons because you can buy a 4 pack at Walmart for around $1. :22:

Now you just sound like Jaster... :hmm3grin2orange:

[Fraoch]

Ha, I did the same thing, packed it all in there into a tight little ball, then cut off the excess.

You see the big difference with the included Bio-Max media, it's in a cloth bag and packs loosely.

I might re-do the bag, perhaps with nylons, but at any rate, water is getting in there so I think things are OK. Perhaps water flow might be better if they're packed more loosely. Sometimes the cylinders aren't completely submerged here too, but I believe that's a good thing, they remain wet by capillary action and are exposed to way more oxygen than being completely submerged.

[Taurus]

Ha, I did the same thing, packed it all in there into a tight little ball, then cut off the excess.

You see the big difference with the included Bio-Max media, it's in a cloth bag and packs loosely.

I might re-do the bag, perhaps with nylons, but at any rate, water is getting in there so I think things are OK. Perhaps water flow might be better if they're packed more loosely. Sometimes the cylinders aren't completely submerged here too, but I believe that's a good thing, they remain wet by capillary action and are exposed to way more oxygen than being completely submerged.

Agreed, it's not a big deal.

[Taurus]

Now you just sound like Jaster... :hmm3grin2orange:

Rob, just remember, there's only one Jaster. Accept no substitutes. :hmm3grin2orange:

Plus his fashion sense is much better than mine. :14:

[angc84]

Ha, I did the same thing, packed it all in there into a tight little ball, then cut off the excess.

You see the big difference with the included Bio-Max media, it's in a cloth bag and packs loosely.

I might re-do the bag, perhaps with nylons, but at any rate, water is getting in there so I think things are OK. Perhaps water flow might be better if they're packed more loosely. Sometimes the cylinders aren't completely submerged here too, but I believe that's a good thing, they remain wet by capillary action and are exposed to way more oxygen than being completely submerged.

Haha, good to know I wasn't the only one!
Anyways, the only advantage I can see with packing it loosely would be that you might get more "surface area"...but it's only a guess.
Thank you!

[Fraoch]

Anyways, the only advantage I can see with packing it loosely would be that you might get more "surface area"...but it's only a guess.
Thank you!

And flow. You do need lots of flow over the media to allow them to do their job.

Thinking about it, I'm now a little more concerned that there's inadequate water flow getting to the inside of the "ball".

[angc84]

And flow. You do need lots of flow over the media to allow them to do their job.

Thinking about it, I'm now a little more concerned that there's inadequate water flow getting to the inside of the "ball".


Mmmmmm...I'd think that having them flatten out would help evenly distribute the water flow?

[Fraoch]

Yeah, I'm thinking there may not be much flow inside the middle of the "ball".

Flattening them out into an even layer would allow much more flow across them.

[angc84]

Yeah, I'm thinking there may not be much flow inside the middle of the "ball".

Flattening them out into an even layer would allow much more flow across them.


I guess both of us have some construction to do tonight!