K R Brown Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 new to canister filters got an fluval 305 and an 2nd hand 204 does media expire need changing etc 204 came with bottom case full of gravel stuff next with noodle things and top with filter wool and 305 with carbon noodles and all factory my questions are: does the media need changing at all? how often do clean them out weekly monthly not at all ? and how do clean etc scrub out or just tip dirty water out etc? and any prefrences on set up filter wool seems useless clogs up quick ? many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 the media that comes with is pretty good. if you want better get some of that eheim substrate pro - little round ball things. what size is the tank(s) they are on? i just pour the water out, clean the sponges, rinse the carbon out, rinse the ammonia remover, do not rinse the media thing. and then i refill it with water. connect it, and it runs perfectly. no need to prime or any of that rubbish - they work well. my setup is: ammo carb in the lowest, with a mesh of filter wool on that; eheim media the next compartment, a mix of that eheim stuff and the fluval stuff in the next, and in the last - more eheim stuff :lol: then i have another 405 with a different setup in it. i clean mine every 3 weeks or so.... give or take.. depending on what mood im in. i only clean 1 at a time though. no time to clean both. with me, the filter wool has never clogged the filter. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32GOTMLK Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 hi carbon needs to be replaced every 6 weeks or there abouts. just rinse the media everytime you clean the filter out which is when u notice output flow of the filter getting low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyzoo Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Once carbon is "full" it can't be rinsed out....in fact it starts putting stuff back into your water......Activated carbon can only be repurified under intense heat, in kiln-like structures-it is cheaper to buy new carbon then repurify even for commersial purposes. I don't think there is any use for carbon unless you are removing medications. Otherwise sponges, bioballs and ceramics are great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Remember to do any rinsing using aquarium water and not tap water as you risk killing off a lot of your good bacteria otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 I would just rinse out the sponges toss out the carbon if you are not taking meds out of your tank. scrap the filter wool (this will only reduce the flow, IMHO) get some more eheim substrate (or the aquaone branded stuff if you can't afford eheim) rinse out the noodles. Put it all together and away you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K R Brown Posted April 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 thanks for all your help brought some noodles and bio balls :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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