Advice for external filter media

[Jazz]

Hi guys, I have dug my Eheim 2213 filter out of the garage and am in the process of setting it up.

It currently has eheim ceramic noodles on the bottom, a coarse filter pad, eheim substrat (sintered glass stuff) and a fine filter pad. The filter last ran for a few years using this stuff, and has been in hiding in the garage for the last year.

Do I need to replace the sintered glass stuff? I looked at the eheim prices and nearly fell over, I could buy an entire chinese filter and media for the same cost!

Is there an alternative to the eheim product? Where could I dig some up in AUckland, or even better online?

I've seem some stuff called JBL micromec and JBL SintoMec at petsunlimited.co.nz, is this the sort of stuff?

[alanmin4304]

I would just rinse it out under the tap and set it running in a mature tank to start picking up the crud and bacteria you want. Replacing the media is the way the shops make their profit. All you need to do is make sure there are no bad creebies in the filter from it being unused for so long. I have filters I have not cleaned for over 6 months as they are still turning over a good volume.

[evilknieval69]

i have a filter i havent cleaned out in over a year and the water parameters in the tank are absolutely spot on!!!!

it is due to the fact that the tank is solid plant....the fish can hardly swim... :roll: :roll:

But yea, i say just give it a good wash and a sterilize and it should be sweet

Rogan

[Caryl]

The old media will still be fine.

[Jazz]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a hot wash and reuse it, thanks for your help.!