I will try that with this filter cartridge then. I wasn't aware that you could do that, as I thought it would destroy he good bacteria? Now you have put me right. Thanks, it will save me a forune in new cartridges. One thing though, how do I go with starting to use the new Eheim filter, in place of this crap Aqua-Flow 200 then? The new filter won't have any bacteria in it at all will it, but the old one will?

Run them both together for a while until the 2nd one has got the good stuff too, then just remove the initial one.

Also, I never use the charcoal sponges as they do a good enough job, just that when they are full, they just leach out the toxins back into the water.

Thanks for that advice Angi-N-Wayne!

I have also heard that the activated charcoal bit also takes up any medications that are put into the aquariums as well? That's why I wanted to get a newer filter as this Aqua-Flow I am using at the moment, doesn't have seperate pods on it for using different filter mediums with. It's all sealed into one filter cartridge, as far as I am aware?

So when I ordered and paid for this new Eheim filter, I made sure that it has enough pods on it for changing the media. I think this new one has two pods on it but I couldn't see any packs of filter media for the Eheim filters, it was all loose stuff in boxes, so I just purchased anything that was filter medium and had Eheim on it? There was everything there, about four different lots, including the activated charcoal one and a peat one as well, which will be good for when I set-up my Scalare aquariums, I hope? Once I have seen just what this loose stuff looks like, I am sure there is cheaper stuff out there, that works just as well but doesn't have Eheim plastered all over it, thus upping the price considerably?

We have both named and un named filters etc, and to be honest have seen no difference in general in their performance, just make sure it's more powerful than you think you need as they rarely work to the stated lph.

Angi

Hi again

Yer, the new filter I have coming is a lot more powerful than the tank requires but can be switched down if needed. I think that the new filter is for 80-160L and this first aquarium that it will be in, is only 60L anyway? I just took the dirty filter out of the Aqua-Flow and gave it a good squeeze and a good run through with the tap and there was loads of crap there, which was obviously marring it's performance? The filter is running nice and fast now and has cleared the tank in no time at all, as it did whan I firt got it! Cheers again and many thanks!

You should only have cleaned it with tank water, and not from the tap as chlorine kills of the beneficial bacteria. However, if you water was dirty enough to already see a difference, then fingers crossed it will not do to much harm.

Always only use tank water in a bucket, you can always get another bucketful if you need to

Angi

I wouldn't say the tank water itself was dirty, just all the detriris that got moved about when I took the filter cannister out and also did a 10% water change as well. Loads of crap flying everywhere but gone in an isntant. I can't see how cleaning the filter medium out in tank water can actually get rid of the rubbish in there as it's all in the same dirty water in the bucket, so it's still going to be dirty? But I will remember that in future though?

High mickelmass, when your new filter arrives just take the old sponge ( or most of it to fit, if the new filter is an odd size) and place that in the new filter--waala no time needed to mature your new sponge.
J

you learn something new every day even after 25 years of keeping fish.

What did you learn today deano
J