HagenKB

Filter media maintenance in the AquaClear Filters

How often and which part should be changed first in the filter media?

How often and which part should be changed first in the filter media?
The carbon insert will exhaust its activity in a month or so, so that is the first one that should be removed and replaced on a monthly basis.

The foam will always trap debris and it should be rinsed on a regular basis, but should last quite a while with proper maintenance, including rinsing it out in used aquarium water to retain the beneficial bacteria that have also colonized the insert. Depending on the amount of debris created in the aquarium, this insert may last the full four weeks to a month that the carbon is actively removing dyes and discoloration, or it may become the limiting factor and require rinsing every two weeks or so, with the carbon and Bio-Max being left in the system until they need attention.

The BioMax ceramic rings will stay active for about 6 months. Since they have huge amounts of surface area for the beneficial bacteria that remove ammonia and nitrite, they will gradually clog those pores and tunnel and become inactive after that time. It is best to also rinse them regularly, any time the filter is being maintained, of any dirt or debris that clog the fine pores prematurely, Again, always ensure that you are using safe, dechlorinated water that will not kill the active bacterial culture you are trying to maintain. The rings can be left in the filter for about six months before their inner areas are clogged and exhausted of suitable beneficial bacteria locations and should be replaced.

If at all possible, this layer should be split into two halves as it is best to begin to rotate half the rings every three months, rather than all the rings at on time. Assuming you place the rings into two equal bags, it is best to remove and replace half after three months and replace with new rings. Rinse the removed rings well to remove any debris on them and store them away for the time of the next change. Then three months later, remove the original bag that has been in for six months and replace it with the original half you have placed in storage previously, move the bag that has been in the chamber for three months over and begin a regular rotation of the longest bag in the system removed and replaced every three months. This way the beneficial bacteria can be conserved as much as possible with the old material while providing new colonization areas for strong biological filtration.

Ammonia remover can also be used in the filter, often in place of the Bio-Max ceramic rings. Unfortunately this does not show any difference in composition when it is active and when it is not, and its fill rate is dependent on how much ammonia is available for it to trap. Since this is the case, the media should be replaced at least every month. But its is not recommeended to change it along with adding new carbon. If you are using ammonia remover and carbon, then the change to new filter media should be alternated, and the frequency of filter maintenance increased to bi-weekly. Replace the ammonia remover and only rinse the carbon out, then in two weeks rinse the ammonia remover (always in used aquarium water to conserve all possible biological activity) and replace the carbon. In this way, the various filter materials are never left to age more than 4 weeks, but always retaining as much bacteria as possible in between the replacements.

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