Filter foam replacement

[Pleco380]

So biomax doesn't need to be replaced but what about foam? How long does it typically last before it needs to be replaced? When the current slows down? 1 month? 1 year?

[Cliff]

When you can't get it clean enough to use or it starts falling apart from cleaning.

I've got the same foam in one of my cannister filters for 6 months now, works just as good as the day I got it.

[Cliff]

Just to clearify, by clean enought to use I mean clean enough for good water flow through it. It will always have a brown-ish color to it and thats perfectly fine

[Pleco380]

Thanks again. My filters are AC's. The fluval is in storage now. I got sick of it leaking.

[Cliff]

That's too bad about your 405. My still works great.

If you ever go back to cannister filters, look inot a XP filter.

They are 10X easier to take the motor assembly off to get at the filter media as compaird to a 405.

[Pleco380]

I'm happy with the AC's. But if I ever do get a new canister I will probably get an XP.

[Lady Hobbs]

I replaced mine after a year. I bleached the old one, dried it out well and just put it away for use in other HOTB's or pre-filters.

[Pleco380]

Wouldn't bleach be hard on the BB when you reuse the foam?

[Lady Hobbs]

Bleach just brought it back to looking new again. I won't use it again for probably a month and by then, there is no bleach left. You always need a piece of foam for something. There will be no bacteria left on it. It's now like new foam.

[toddnbecka]

I rinse out my AC filter sponges when I see water running out on the intake side, indicating the foam is loaded with debris. Usually once weekly in my crowded growout tanks, about once monthly in the less heavily stocked tanks. Rinse and squeeze in 1/2 full 5 gallon bucket of tank water, then repeat in another 1/2 bucket of (relatively) clean water until most of the debris has been cleared out of the sponges. Some of my sponge blocks are almost 10 years old now, but the newer ones don't seem to hold up as long as the old ones. You can keep using them until they start breaking apart, then put a new one in the filter for a few weeks before throwing out the old one.

[Pleco380]

Okay, I think I'll rinse them monthly in a tank of tank water. Then replace them when they fall apart. Thanks everyone!