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- CARBON INSERT
The AquaClear Carbon Insert (B) is packaged in a nylon porous pouch over wrapped with a protective plastic dust sleeve. Remove dust sleeve, and rinse the insert to remove any carbon dust particles. To properly install the Carbon Insert, flatten the insert on top of the Foam block already placed in the filter basket.

Is the carbon insert as stated in the manual necessary all the time, see diagram.

JTF attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/412882.jpg"]

No, put in a second sponge instead. Unless there is a reason you want to run carbon in your filter.

I run two sponges and the bio cylinder package, whatever its called, on top of that... the new stuff they came out with that comes in a netted bag and is supposed to add xxx amount better biological filtration.

Two sponges, good idea. The top level (C) calls for AMRID AMMONIA REMOVER INSERT. Is this necessary or just go with two sponges and do weekly water changes to keep ammonia in check.
AMRID removes harmful ammonia before it has a chance to build to toxic levels and stress aquatic inhabitants. AMRID can reduce some poisonous ammonia build up in a newly established aquarium, before nitrifying bacteria have populated enough to remove it naturally. Excessive feeding, overpopulation, and failure to remove decaying organic matter also promotes the rise of toxic ammonia within the biosphere. Chloramine used in municipal water is a hazard for many fish. When chloramine is removed with a dechlorinator, ammonia is released into the water. AMRID helps to remove ammonia whenever properly conditioned new tap water is added to an aquarium during water change or top-up procedures.

JTF attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/413572.jpg"]

See product suggestd for level C.

JTF attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/413574.jpg"]

I'm guessing AMRID is Zeolite in a different packaging?

Personally I wouldn't use it if it contains Zeolite...I'm not a fan of unneccesary chemicals...

I used to run 2 sponges in all my AC filters but I was told there was a better way. I was told to only use 1 sponge, but underneath that sponge place a layer of cotton batting which is used to stuff pillows and can be found in the crafts section of most dept. stores in large bags for ~$3.

The reason I was told not to run 2 sponges is because the sponges can trap particles in the center that can't be removed even from thorough rinsing. These particles will in time turn into trapped nitrates which are difficult to get rid of.

I have been doing this so far for a few weeks and so far so good. I wish I could provide more in the way of experience with this method but I've read of several others who do this as well.

Jason

Biomax is the name of the stuff I was talking about. It's in a mesh bag and you place it on top to increase your biological capacity. It's inert and chemical free. Made by hagen for aquaclear filters.

Thanks for the great info. The cotton batting under the sponge is interesting idea. When you clean the sponge do you discard the cotton and replace it with new stuff?

I think the idea is to change the cotton batting every 2-4 weeks depending on how much gunk builds up. If you use the cotton batting, you probably won't have to rinse the sponge very often. In fact I believe the person that told me about this said he only rinses his sponges every six months or so. This is because the cotton batting has a tigher weave and will pick up more particles than the sponge ever could. This means the sponge doesn't pick up hardly any particles at all, if any. The sponges only purpose while using the cotton batting underneath is to act as a huge bacteria bed.

Jason

All my ACs (about 30 of them) I run with 1-2 sponges plus bio-media.....I only ever use carbon to remove meds, and 'am-rid' only if I have an emergency problem with an ammonia-spike.

Thanks for the good tips, I like the cotton batting idea.

Depending on how it was manufactured, cotton or polyester batting from the craft store can possibly kill every single fish in the tank.

If you want to go that route, I would suggest using polyester filter fiber from a fish or pet store. It is specifically manufactured in a certain way to be non toxic to fish and other aquatic life.

Mine have been fine so far! unfortunatley, I think I threw away the bag it came in so I can't give the exact brand.

Jason

Rats...

I know some of the manufacturers use different methods of manufacturing than others. It's all about the process they use which determines whether or not it will be toxic to fish. Polyester filter floss is basically the same thing that gets stuffed in pillows but is manufactured in a certain way to pose no danger to fish, but you pay for that assurance.

If you happen to think of the brand name of the stuff you were using, let us know

* starts ripping apart pillow

I like that idea Jason..

In my 90 gal..
When I first setup tank I used sponge, charcoal,
ammonia pack.. After cycle I tossed the ammonia pack..
The current charcoal is old and just there as a place for bacteria to grow.

Now I run just a sponge and carbon.. This tank is nitrate challenged for me so I'm thinking just use the batting, skip the sponge and use 2 packs of the bio-media in there.
Do you think this would help or still use the sponge and one bio pack ?

29 gal - 2 sponges and one old charcoal pack.. Now I'm re-thinking that setup also... But there's a piece of sponge in the intake tube to catch particles, so maybe remove one sponge and add the bio media ?

The Amazon Nut...