Filter Maintenance

**Goes to 11!** · 01-09-2013, 08:46 PM

I ALWAYS put the bioedia after the mechanical filtration and here is my rationale for that.

If the biomedia is first, Every bit of particulate matter [or any matter at all] that your filter picks up gets slammed into your biomedia and immediately starts clogging the microscopic pores that the BB live in. This obviously lowers/limits the BB capacity of the media which ultimately undermines the efficiency of your filter.

It's counterproductive to do it that way IMO.

I always have the mechanical filtration [Sponges/floss] first to remove that particulate matter in an attempt to maintain the purity of my BB colonys house. Obviously it funks up over time but I see no point in putting it directly in the line of fire - So to speak.

I haven't seen a more logical rationale for doing it the other way round yet, YMMV.

**scotchbonneteater** · 01-09-2013, 08:51 PM

I have sponges before Bio rings in my sump. My Ehiem canister was course sponge/fine sponge/bio and that worked so that's how I set up my sump.

Hope this helps.

I'm sure others will pitch in

I got Ninja'd by 850R

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-09-2013, 09:01 PM

Ceramic noodles should be where the cleanest water goes through it. In other words, the top.

**Goes to 11!** · 01-09-2013, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Ceramic noodles should be where the cleanest water goes through it.

+1

I meant to include this exact phrase in my post actually, You always want the cleanest water possible going through your bio-media.

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-09-2013, 09:17 PM

Guess you can tell I do not read every post? LOL

**scotchbonneteater** · 01-09-2013, 09:23 PM

850R - It takes me 10 minutes to wind up the brain cells

**scotchbonneteater** · 01-09-2013, 09:25 PM

Oh and any fine floss/carbon should go last I believe.

**Cermet** · 01-09-2013, 10:22 PM

Charcoal (aka carbon) does not go last since it never is needed unless you are removing specific organics ...

**phatchuck** · 01-10-2013, 02:43 AM

All great info guys, Thanks again.

So this is what I did tonight - I think it will work, but feel free to offer feedback.

I did a PWC tonight and rinsed out my two filter pad inserts that have the carbon inside, in the tank water I drained out. (Running an Aqueon 75 filter) I placed (sort of jammed) an AquaClear BioMax ceramic ring filter insert in front of the pad that is closest to the water outlet. I got the one for up to a 50 gallon tank since the 70 gallon insert did not look like it would fit. There isn't too much space in front of the two pads and their plastic Bio cages. I also put some filter fiber (bought a 4 oz. bag that will last forever) in between the two pads and their Bio cages to add some additional filtration surface area. The added stuff in the filter doesn't seem to be impeding the flow of water since nothing is going through the bypass area.

The only thing I'm not sure about is if it is OK to put the filter fiber where I did, especially since it is not actually contained in a bag or vessel. I basically stuffed some in the space between the pad and the cage.

**phatchuck** · 01-11-2013, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by phatchuck

All great info guys, Thanks again.

So this is what I did tonight - I think it will work, but feel free to offer feedback.

I did a PWC tonight and rinsed out my two filter pad inserts that have the carbon inside, in the tank water I drained out. (Running an Aqueon 75 filter) I placed (sort of jammed) an AquaClear BioMax ceramic ring filter insert in front of the pad that is closest to the water outlet. I got the one for up to a 50 gallon tank since the 70 gallon insert did not look like it would fit. There isn't too much space in front of the two pads and their plastic Bio cages. I also put some filter fiber (bought a 4 oz. bag that will last forever) in between the two pads and their Bio cages to add some additional filtration surface area. The added stuff in the filter doesn't seem to be impeding the flow of water since nothing is going through the bypass area.

The only thing I'm not sure about is if it is OK to put the filter fiber where I did, especially since it is not actually contained in a bag or vessel. I basically stuffed some in the space between the pad and the cage.

Does anyone have any feedback on what I described above? I just want to make sure I haven't done anything I shouldn't.