HOB Filter question

[xtc]

I've got a few tanks with HOB filters and I typically clean the filters off and run them for another cycle before pitching them and buying more...that can be expensive even thru an online resource.

I'm thinking of running them without filter media...anyone with an opinion one way or the other? Alternate methods?

[poel_19]

If you run them without media your just moving water. I use mine until they start falling apart, it cuts down on cost and cost is a major factor in your case when you run quite a few tanks. I cant remember if your filters are all the same brand, I've become a huge fan of cheapy wal-mart Aqua-techs....filter pads are dirt cheap. The filters have come a long way from back in the day. On my top fin, I bought a huge filter pad that is used on Marine Land canister filters and cut to size and secured it using a scavanged frame of an old filter pad secured it with rubber bands and used that as mechanical filtration I got about 5 uses out of that rigged up system and used a large portion of the filter pad in my XP3 and have never seen my water cleaner...im rambling now but hopefully that helped a little

[rolloffhill]

If you are going to run them without media why not just run a powerhead?

[xtc]

I was thinking along the same lines as Joel- but hadn't figured out the rubber bands to the old frames system- I'll give that a shot. I gotta go to Fish Boutique for crawfish today anyway. Maybe they have that sheet filter stuff- I know they have it at USA in Garden Ridge- but I've ribs smokin and ice cream churnin. :cool: No time for multiple stops.

[poel_19]

thanks for the invite......................

[kewlkatdady]

what kind of power filters are you running?

I'm assuming your are running one that you have to replace the entire cartridge...

this is the main reason I use aquaclear...there sponge is reusable for many years...their bio media is cleanable...and the carbon inserts are cheap when removing meds...

[EAST_TX_RN]

I use the Aqua-Tech pumps and filters from Wally World with great success. I do tend to over-filter my tanks though. I am so cheap(like Joel), that I will power-spray the filters and reuse them at least twice before replacing. My only problem is, is that it cuts down on the amount of water going back into the tank, and was trying to figure out another way to use filter media without it doing that. I have even angled them in there to help. Anyone with ideas?

[poel_19]

I have yet to figure out that solution myself.....

[EAST_TX_RN]

How about dangling some charcoal in a bag of panty-hose, so water could flow around it? Or weighting some down on the bottom? Guess that wouldn't filter the water enough though. Need some brains working here!

[Catherine]

I've got a few tanks with HOB filters and I typically clean the filters off and run them for another cycle before pitching them and buying more...that can be expensive even thru an online resource.

I'm thinking of running them without filter media...anyone with an opinion one way or the other? Alternate methods?

Chris, how about replacing the media with some bioballs? I have a ton if you need some for a filter or two. Free, even! I bought them in bulk on ebay.
Catherine

[kewlkatdady]

in my aqua clears...I only use the sponge that comes with it... and poly pillow stuffin...

It works great!

[ElijahTurtle]

My 55g has an Emperor 400 I've been using the same 2 filters inserts since I set the tank up. January will be 2 yrs on those "Disposable inserts. I just give them a half baked cleaning in tank water about once a month...if I remeber LOL
It also came with 2 basket inserts for carbon & other junk. I cut the baffles out of them & filled them with Bio Max. So I've got 2 disposables that have never been disposed of & 2 baskets behind those packed with the BioMax. That's it. I bought some floss to cover the disposable frames when the original crap falls off of them. Your welcome to it if you want it, I can bring it to the :happydance:"PAR-TAY":happydance:the 3rd. I was going to use zip ties to attach it since rubberbands kind of disentegrate in the tank after a while.

I Love my E400!

[misplacedsooner]

i agree with amon, all the filters inserts i have i use till they completely fall apart. just rinse them in discarded tank water once in awhile and bang em around in the bucket to loosen stuff up and replace. i run double sponges in my ac s and the bio thingies, they last forever it seems.
mike

[arnold]

Kens fish has cheap generic replacements.
http://www.kensfish.com/filtermediabrands.html

[xtc]

I've been doing the wash and reuse method for a couple years now. But this weekend I did 16 of those for 4 tanks and by the time I was done- I knew I needed another method. BTW- I use the sink sprayer, I'm not really concerned with killing the good bacteria in there- the substrate holds sooo much more than those little filter pads- I'm certainly not going to unbalance the tank by cleaning those. Plus, I've got the bio wheels.

Bioballs- interesting thought, but that would be harder to clean (I'm guessing) b/c you'd have to take the filter off to clean out the compartment of all the crap.

I might just have to get some of those Ken's filter's- they are a whole lot cheaper than the ones at Wally World.

I went to Pet Boutique and didn't see any of the filter padding stuff- I'll have to hit USA today.

Turtle Man, I have a whole slew of those things as well- But same thought as before, the substrate should hold enough bacteria that those things would just further restrict the water flow- more than help keep good bacteria in the water.

Nurse woman:hehe:, the problem with slowing the flow is you lose the "over filter" part of filtration- slowing down the flow is what you don't want.

I don't see a need in the carbon, just the pad to "scrub" the water clean of debris...am I correct in this assumption? Especially if I'm doing my regular water changes.

[kewlkatdady]

I don't see a need in the carbon, just the pad to "scrub" the water clean of debris...am I correct in this assumption? Especially if I'm doing my regular water changes.

Correct!



Can you put a wad of pillow batting in there? I know that they flow in my aqua clears allow me to do that...but I'm not sure in your case.

The only maintenance I do to the aqua clear is replace the batting every so often and siphon out the left behind poop.

Seems to work great and its cheap. I can buy a bag of pillow stuffing for $3-$4 and this one has lasted me since March and I still have about a third of it left. Hmmm...that about $6 a year for water polishing filter media...


I love it when a plan come together.

Oh and the $6 is only including my AC110 (500 gph) on the 125. I plan on putting a AC70 on the 58 so I'm sure that will go up too...um $9 a year for 2 filters...

[xtc]

You are one thrifty mofo!!

I'm not using ACs though- they're Emperor, Penguin or some such. they require the flat inserts.But the concept is similar. I did have an AC on my first 55- but I sold it with the tank- I liked it ok, but these fell into my lap for a song and a dance.

[kewlkatdady]

Can you buy a insert that can be reloaded?

I thought I've heard of a DIY insert for the Emps at least...

Let me do some digging

[kewlkatdady]

here are some ideas on a re usable filter insert...
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/power_filter_tricks_v.php

good luck

[Kathy]

Correct!



Can you put a wad of pillow batting in there? I know that they flow in my aqua clears allow me to do that...but I'm not sure in your case.

The only maintenance I do to the aqua clear is replace the batting every so often and siphon out the left behind poop.

Seems to work great and its cheap. I can buy a bag of pillow stuffing for $3-$4 and this one has lasted me since March and I still have about a third of it left. Hmmm...that about $6 a year for water polishing filter media...


I love it when a plan come together.

Oh and the $6 is only including my AC110 (500 gph) on the 125. I plan on putting a AC70 on the 58 so I'm sure that will go up too...um $9 a year for 2 filters...

I remember reading a warning in one of the fish forums about using batting/stuffing in filters. Seems that some of that stuff is treated (don't ask me what for) and may release unwanted chemicals.

I use those AC foam inserts in my HOB filters and they last forever!

[kewlkatdady]

you have to make sure that you use the 100% poly fiber pillow batting...

So far so good...I've been using it since March.

If you have anymore info on that, please pass it along.

[EAST_TX_RN]

So, could I use the 100% poly in my Wally World specials instead of the charcoal thingie? Would that increase my water flow? It is weird , but on some of my filters the cartridge doesn't do that, just on the ones in my 55.

[kewlkatdady]

I'd try it...

now understand there isn't any carbon in the poly stuff...

[EAST_TX_RN]

Do I have to have charcoal to filter? I am up to trying anything to increase my airflow in my 55 and also save money!

[AndrewH]

...Bioballs- interesting thought, but that would be harder to clean (I'm guessing) b/c you'd have to take the filter off to clean out the compartment of all the crap...

Put them in a pantyhose or some other means of taking 'em out all at once :D ?

I remember reading a warning in one of the fish forums about using batting/stuffing in filters. Seems that some of that stuff is treated (don't ask me what for) and may release unwanted chemicals...

I heard the same thing... something about an anti-mold or mite (dust mite) coating.

Here's some interesting reading Difference Batting materials (http://www.createforless.com/advice_top_picks/top_batting.asp)

Do I have to have charcoal to filter? I am up to trying anything to increase my airflow in my 55 and also save money!

No, the carbon/charcoal is not required. It's typically used to remove meds from the water after you treat the tank. Doesn't do too much if you just run it for no reason and it only last about 2 months if it stays in the filter continuously. After that it's just slowing down the water.

[poel_19]

That batting usually is coated with fire retardent look for non coated variety

[kewlkatdady]

This is the stuff that I have...

[AndrewH]

I would imagine if you've been using it for several months with no problems that it's on the "ok" list... sweet!!!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Shit! I am learning new stuff all the time from you guys! Thanks!

[kewlkatdady]

Its been fine so far...

[xtc]

I don't keep a stockpile of panty hose layin around- I bet you do. :hehe:
Put them in a pantyhose or some other means of taking 'em out all at once :D ?

[tsunderl]

Ah, that reminds me... Andrew, you left your fishnet stockings over here. http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra3/shocked2.gif

[datnioides]

I have both emperors and penguin HOB filters and have found the cheapest way for me. I bought extra media cartridges. You can get them for the emperor and any penguin filter that uses the C size filter. I just use the blue filter material cut to size and put in them. Just rinse out the filter material and put back in the cartridge. It lasts a long time and I don't have to bother with the disposable filters. The new penguins, two larger ones, have two slots and the media containers fit in both. I put carbon or cut strips of pura pad to fit in the slots in the other container. Carbon does help with water quality. I know that Boutique sells the penguin cartridges and the large sheets of blue filter material. The emperor ones I bought on the internet. Hope this helps.

[biggin]

Chris if you want to try the ones from Kens I have a bunch of the C size....

[arnold]

I know what I'm doin up, I'm getting fish ready for an am flight to sunny Florida, I'm not an insomniac, might be an anamainiac:D

[AndrewH]

I don't keep a stockpile of panty hose layin around- I bet you do. :hehe:

Here's Chris from the last G2G...

http://www.humanist.de/kultur/film/manhunter13.jpg

I figured you could use that one after you were done parading around the yard with it on your head :rofl:.

Ah, that reminds me... Andrew, you left your fishnet stockings over here. http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra3/shocked2.gif

OOPS! Send those over to Chris, he doesn't seem to know how to stop by the local wally world and fork out $1.50 for a pair of his own roflmao.

[EAST_TX_RN]

I wish you could buy a pair of panty-hose for a buck and a half! roflmaoroflmaoroflmao