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How important are those white Bio-Fiber pads that come with some of those hangin' filters. Mine is pretty dirty and I can't get it any cleaner. I have also looked at stores but haven't seen any replacements without buying a whole new filter.

2007-06-19 13:32:42 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Fish

Ok so one guy says change them regularly and the other two say don't even clean them. Can somebody clarify that for good please?
I believe the first to guy because I know bacteria is good for the tank. I had that tank for over a year and even took the pads out for a while because they were so nasty. Now I feel like an idiot. :)
Thanks

2007-06-19 13:48:50 · update #1

8 answers

You generally don't want to wash these. In this case, a little slime is a good thing. It's a place to grow beneficial bacteria. The moment you wash it, you destroy bacterial growth and the bacterial filtration it was providing. The only reason you might ever want to wash it is if there is excessive algae growth on it blocking the flow of water through your filter. If this is going on, then you also need to do more frequent water changes to clean the tank.

If you do wash them, they might wear out. Discoloration is fine but if it's actually starting to fall apart they you might want to replace it. You can choose any of the "bacterial sponge filters" that you find in stores that will fit your size filter. Chances are the same size will fit yours. Quite a lot of brands are interchangeable.

By far the best thing though is to just leave it in place and not touch it.

Add: Unless it is made with addition to reduce ammonia, it's not going to reduce ammonia to replace it. The box is probably just trying to get you to spend money.

2007-06-19 13:54:03 · answer #1 · answered by ibewhoever@yahoo.com 4 · 0 0

My general maintenance routine is to just get any solid waste that gets stuck to the pad off. I'll scoop some water from the tank and rinse the pad in it until no clump of solid is visible then I put it back. Otherwise there isn't a need to really make sure the pad is very clean in my opinion.

The reason I get the solid waste off the pad is to reduce the ammount of ammonia being decompose. I could leave the waste on the pad indefinitly and it'll decompose in time, but when the waste decompose, it introduce ammonia into the tank. Therefore by removing the waste routinely I help to reduce the ammonia in the tank.

.

2007-06-19 16:05:29 · answer #2 · answered by dragonfly_sg 5 · 0 0

They are the single most important part of the filtration in your tank. Don't worry about getting it really clean, in fact don't even try to. You have beneficial bacteria growing in that pad that you don't want to kill. If you can't find replacement pads locally, try some of the larger online fish supply sites. They usually carry pads for every filter you can think of.

MM

2007-06-19 13:38:54 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1 0

Don't clean them unless you can't get water to pass through them. In that case, rinse them in a bucket of water that you drained from your tank during maintenance. If you rinse them with tap water, the chlorine will destroy most of the beneficial bacteria in it. This bacteria "eats" the waste and converts it to a less toxic form.
I'm guessing these folks can help you out with parts...
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18400/cl0/media?viewType=Manufacturer

2007-06-19 13:56:27 · answer #4 · answered by Democrat with 5 Guns 3 · 0 0

to clean it, simply rinse it in the tank, thats all the cleaner it should get. like MM said, it grows bacteria, and that will break down the toxic ammonia and nitrates, keeping the water clean and fish healthy.

2007-06-19 22:09:01 · answer #5 · answered by joshuaflora87 2 · 0 0

You need to replace them regularly, the Bio-Fiber filters produce bacteria that help to destroy the ammonia in the tank, overall improving the health of you fish.

2007-06-19 13:39:07 · answer #6 · answered by Stewey C 4 · 0 2

its a sponge to grow bacteria on for biological filtrartion. you aren't supposed to try to get it any cleaner -- you want it kind of nasty -- its supposed to grow bacteria that will eat the bacteria that makes ammonia and nitrites.

2007-06-19 13:38:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

is it the type that spins around a bit?? if it is then remove it and swish it in some tank water for a few seconfds monthly or so. but dont throw it out.

2007-06-19 18:33:04 · answer #8 · answered by michael_j_p_42503 3 · 0 0

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