Bio bag question

[topher]

Hey all,

I'm a tank newbie with no fish yet and am about to start cycling a new 10g tank but I have a question about the filter. The filter is labeled as a Top Fin, but from what I've read is really a re-branded Whisper 10 Power Filter. The Whisper Power Filters use a "Bio-Bag" filter mechanism, which they say you're supposed to replace every month.

My question is, if you replace the bag (which is basically a dense mesh bag with charcoal contents), aren't you throwing away all the bacteria? Based on the "Cleaning Filters" article I read on this site, I would think you would not want to get rid of the mesh or the charcoal because you want to keep the bacteria around.

I know I'm wrong (or the Bio-bag is a horrible product, which I doubt), but the impression I got was the bacteria lived in the filter element.

Thanks,
topher

[Drumachine09]

most people never change filter cartridges. I dont. When they get clogged, i just shwish it around int the tank and put it back in.

[Rue]

I think the biobags are rather useless...

Yes! You are throwing away a lot of your good bacteria when you toss the biobag!

Charcoal, from everything I've read...is best for 2 weeks...after that it doesn't do much, if anything. Charcoal serves 2 main purposes. It makes the water clearer (takes out discolouration) and removes odour. Personally, I like charcoal. But it's not necessary to have.

The white poly. material covering the charcoal is mainly for mechanical filtration...to remove the 'gunk'...so it can be reused by cleaning it in old tank water...and it will of course, have the good bacteria on it as well...so when you toss it, you toss the bacteria.

I also have a couple of these 'cheap' filters on my little tanks. I think I've solved the problem by adding sponges to the filters...I just stuff them behind the biobag...there is room. That way I never toss away all the good bacteria, since the sponge can stay in place for months (just rinse out when doing water changes and maintenance).

[gm72]

Rue has great information here, sponges are a great way to go and you don't need to use carbon. Strongly recommended to follow her suggestions, spot on! (as usual)

[topher]

Interesting stuff...

OK, so let's say I never change the bio-bag but just properly clean it when needed.

What kind of sponge do you use?

And if I want to use carbon (my spouse has a sensitive nose and I'd like to keep any odor to a minimum), how would I?

[Rue]

...so gm72...where do I sent your cheque? For all the flattery? :wink2:

You can use any tank-safe sponge...cut it to fit...but being the lazy sort...I found a little Fluval sponge that fits just right...comes in a 4-pack...

[topher]

Thanks for the help, this is great!

Do you change out the bio-bag at all or do not even have one?

[Rue]

...I still use the biobags as mechanical filtration...plus, as I said, I like the charcoal...

...but you don't have to...

...if you only use a sponge, in effect you have a sponge filter...and although the typical sponge filter is currently 'out-of-style' it's known to be one the best filtration methods available to the hobby...

You can also add a small bag of bioballs or similar material ...or a sponge and bioballs...since the sponge acts as mechanical filtration as well...or a thicker sponge...or two little sponges (and only replace one at any time)...anything that you prefer basically...

[topher]

So it appears the Whisper filter I have is the cheapest model they make. It has no flow control, no tube extender (the end of the tube in the tank is roughly 4 or 5 inches from the gravel), and no foam pad. The foam pad on the other models sits in front of the bio-bag and is a formal version of Rue's improvised sponge approach.

One good thing about the filter is that it's very quiet.

I'm thinking I'll just live with this filter for now and then go from there.

[genitor]

For my hob filters, I took out the filter cartridge (which was charcoal covered in some dense mesh material) and replaced it with a sponge and a mesh bag with some ceramic rings. When the sponge gets clogged with gunk, I give it a good washing and replace it. So basically the sponge acts as my mechanical filtration and the ceramic rings acts as biological. I never trouble the ceramic rings and so my bacteria colonies stay alive. Also i have two hob's and i never wash the two sponges at the same time.

[gm72]

topher, if you have a bad smell in one of your tanks something is wrong. An aquarium should never smell.

genitor, I do the same things with regard to rinsing the sponge and not doing both at the same time, although the ceramic rings that you mention are primarily designed for mechanical filtration. Ehfisynth and other such media provide greater surface area and should be more effective at maintaining colonization of the "good" bacteria.

[RobbieG]

I use the whisper for 30 gallon tanks on my 10 - may be called the Whisper 30 I forget - and the Whisper 60 for my 30 gallon tanks. The "30" Works OK with the 10 Gallon but I am saving up for a couple of Aquaclear 110's for my 30 gallon tanks.

You could probably pick up the Whisper 30 or whatever the heck it is thats rated for 30 gallon tanks at WalMart for 20 bucks. It has the sponge for bacteria and the replacement mesh/carbon inserts are cheap and last freaking forever.

[genitor]

although the ceramic rings that you mention are primarily designed for mechanical filtration.

The ceramic rings i am speaking about is the same thing as biomax that is sold as bio-media for aquaclear filters. Each ring is very porous and has about 100 square feet surface area.

[gm72]

Ah, I see. I am thinking of Eheim brand Ehfimech with is not so porous. Thank you for the clarification!

[topher]

Wow, this is an active forum, very cool.

It turns out I have a Whisper 10, which doesn't have the bio bags but rather the 'standard' Whisper inserts. These inserts open at the top so you can drop carbon in the mesh bag.

So this weekend I bought a container of carbon pellets thinking I can gently clean the mesh bag when needed and replace the carbon pellets every 4 weeks or so.

Based on the posts on this thread, I think I'll also pick up either small sponges or some bagged ceramic rings to drop in behind the mesh bag. I *think* that'll give me a mesh bag for mechanical, carbon in the mesh bag for chemical, and then the sponge/ceramic element for biological...right?

gm72 - the tank doesn't smell, I just want to avoid any smells.

[gm72]

Yes, this forum is active with a ton of good information.

Your filtration idea is a good one. In a healthy tank you really don't need the carbon, but you are concerned about the potential for a smell.

Again though I have to say, if your fiance smells the tank then something is very wrong.