AquaClear + Snail ?s

[Darkwynd]

For those of you with AquaClear filters: how often do you change the different filter components? The instructions say to change the sponge every 2 months, the carbon every month, and the bio media every three months. You're not supposed to change more than one component at a time, but if you follow their directions you will change two every-other month and all three every six months. Do I need to follow their directions but stagger what time of the month a change each component? Is there really a reason to change the bio media??

My second question is about my minor snail infestation. I think they are tadpole snails and they are popping up faster than I can get rid of them (a few get tossed out most days hanging onto the rind of the birstlenoses' cuccumber). Aside from buying a snail trap (anyone know where I can find/how I can make one?), I was thinking of maybe looking for a zebra loach. I don't know how well they fair without a decent sized shoal, and with 5 corys and 2 bristlenoses in my 20gal I don't really have enough room left for 4-5 loaches. What other suggestions does anyone have?

[newb]

no clue on the snail problem...but in my aquaclear 110's I change the media. I also only use the sponge and the bio media. just clean it about every other month in some used tank water that way the bacteria doesnt die.

[Mzungu]

The carbon I almost never change, same with the bio-media. I rinse those out with water from the tank in a bucket when they begin to clog up with schtuff. Carbon is so porous that it's basically like another biomedia in there.

As for the sponge, I rinse and squeeze that out in aquarium water when it gets clogged, as well.

I don't have a specific schedule for doing any of this. Some of my filters (mostly whispers, but have 1 AquaClear) I have had running for so many years that I can tell by the flow when the media needs to be cleaned or changed.

However, I do find that about every 6 months or so I need to take out the filter and do a thorough cleaning of the inside - the impellor housing, the actual media holder, and especially the intake tube.

I've never heard of tadpole snails - are those like pond snails?

A snail trap is pretty much what you described with a cucumber, but in a jar, lol. Before the lights go off, throw a veggie or some algae wafers or something in the tank and the snails will have covered it completely in an hour or two.

Me, I don't mind snails. I like having them. They help keep the glass clear, and they're a good indication of how the tank is doing, nutrient-wise. Usually a snail population explosion means a new tank which is still trying to find its balance or there's an increase in food for snails - which usually means higher nitrates, more algae, and maybe a lot of uneaten food. I've found over the years that snail populations come and go, but usually die off after their food supply is diminished. So if I were you, I'd probably just make sure all food is being eaten and test your water periodically to see how those nitrates are doing. :)

[TheOldMan]

I don't use the carbon in my aqua clear filters. Instead I cut a few pieces of the blue/white bonded material to fit the top of the filter and wash it out about twice a week and replace. The bottom sponge I clean out about every two months. Just rinse out the bio media every three months.

[mahoro]

i've never use carbon, don't see any point, unless the tank is over stocked (which never should be) or got bad water source... i wash the spong bi-weekly, same with the bio media... i also use filter cotton-like thingy, which is replace every 2 months and rainsed anytime its dirty...

[Zulaab]

The Carbon bag you add to a filter will die out in about 1-2 months after you add it. It will simply be exhausted after that.
I clean my AC110 sponge is cleaned completely clean in tap water every other month. The noodles are flushed (dunk and shake) in a pitcher of aquarium water at the same time.

[supadave]

I probally have about ten AquaClear 110s' and I have never replaced a sponge or the bio media. These have been running for over two years now. I never use the carbon so I have four or five of the carbon pouches that I never took out the box.

[mahoro]

filter floss was what i was thinking

[mahoro]

i like the new biomedia they came out with, looks like ceramic ring, more surface then the org. bio media...

[Mzungu]

i've never use carbon, don't see any point

Carbon's a great thing to use for bio-media. It's super-porous. I have carbon in only one of my filters right now, but I stand by it. Even if it is "used up" so quickly, it still is a really great place for beneficial bacteria to colonize.

[riftjunkie]

I've only replaced the biomax once within a year on my ac110, and I'm not convinced I even needed to. I have replaced the carbon a few times. For some reason I feel like my water is cleaner and clearer that way. Could be all in my head though.

[peterp63]

Carbon's a great thing to use for bio-media. It's super-porous. I have carbon in only one of my filters right now, but I stand by it. Even if it is "used up" so quickly, it still is a really great place for beneficial bacteria to colonize.

I've heard that spent carbon can lead to excess phosphorous (or phosphates, or something) in the water. Not sure the chemistry behind it, but that's just what I've heard....

[mahoro]

Carbon's a great thing to use for bio-media. It's super-porous. I have carbon in only one of my filters right now, but I stand by it. Even if it is "used up" so quickly, it still is a really great place for beneficial bacteria to colonize.

but it also needs to be replaced often too, once it suck up enough of bad things in the water, it'll start to leech out whatever it sucked back in, had problem with that before so thats why i never use it (okay, maybe not never, had to use it for post-ike) only use it when i have to...