Help with AR620T tank.... filter substance...

[axokeeper]

Can someone tell me (a REAL novice) what I should replace in the top of my tank and where to get it from?

At the moment I have a powerhead and a bar that has holes in it which goes over this black harsh sponge. My water has cleared (I did have algae which I cured by using the black out method) but I still have LOTS of white floating particles which my filtration system is not clearing out.

Do I just replace the sponges or is there something more that I can use which is better?

[smidey]

have you got fiterwool? that generally goes in the top of those trickle systems.

[axokeeper]

Hmmm.... I have this black stuff which I would describe as a pot scourer...lol. Not sure of technical name...

[BikBok]

the two aquaone tanks I have (AR850 & AR380) both came with the black sponge you talk about which shouldn't need replacing for a long time - just rinse in emptied tank water when you do the water changes.

There is also a wool/carbon cartridge that you buy specifically to fit and it has carbon and a thin layer of wool. .. or you can just buy wool. Underneathe the black sponge there should be space to put ceramic noodles . (important for biological filtration)

the cartridge looks like this: http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/prod ... hp?id=1714

[BikBok]

this might be helpful... the AR620 manual has diagrams of what goes where

http://www.aquaone.co.uk/documents/Aqua ... ew_002.pdf

on page 3 it has a list of the codes for the media names , you want 3C for the carbon cartridge then you just go into a petshop and ask for it.

The bottom of page 4 shows how it all goes together in the filter

[axokeeper]

Thanks! Thats a really handy website! And do you know, all my tank has in it is the blimmin black filter sponges!! No noodles, wool or carbon cartridges!! I imagine fish keeping will get MUCH easier once I have all the proper equipment!! LMAO!

[bdspider]

Btw, you don't really need a carbon cartridge. If you do, you need to replace it every 6 weeks or something!

It's good for getting impurities out, like if you've just medicated the tank but once the carbon is 'full' it just leaches the crap back into the water. Kind of becomes a waste of money.

[BikBok]

I use the cartridges and replace every 8 weeks but you could just use a wool pad without the carbon if you wanted. I do find the carbon helps to keep the water clear.

But the noodles are a must.