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I have a Wisper20 filter which I don't believe does biofiltration or has a place for bacteria to live. Is there some component I can add to the filter to do this? Is it even necessary?

Saint Paul, Minnesota USA 20g Freshwater Started June 10th 2008
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Hi,
Here is the write up for that filter:

http://www.aquariumguys.com/whisperpower3.html

It does act as a biological filter, but keep in mind that
it is a small filter and designed for small tanks. If you
over crowd the tank, or neglect regular maintenance
(water changes, occasional filter cleaning, and gravel
vacuuming) the filter will not be able to handle the rise
in organic wastes.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

So when the bio bag is replaced bye-bye bacteria? Or is there enough in the water and gravel to handle the loss?

Saint Paul, Minnesota USA 20g Freshwater Started June 10th 2008
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How old is this filter.... wispher filter have a black foam that goes on the discharge side of the filter tank..... You can order parts for mos filters at petsoultions.com to get a replacement biospounge... You can even bag a few noodle in a net bag and have them setting in the filter tank.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Not so much in the water, but in the gravel. Bacteria love surfaces.

Once your tank gets on a bit, that should hold it steady. In the meantime I'd avoid changing the filter unless you really need to, and I'd just rinse the cartridge in tank water when you are doing a water change instead of swapping it out completely.




For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Hi,
To amplify a bit. The bulk of the bacteria needed for the
Nitrogen Cycle is inside the tank on the surfaces of every
grain of gravel, on the tank sides, on the surfaces of
the ornaments, and on all the surfaces inside
the filter as well.
When rinsing out the filter media, run the drained off
water into a clean bucket and then swish the filter pads
and other media in that bucket of old tank water. Do not,
rinse it off under the tap water. Tap water contains
chemicals, such as chlorine, that is designed to kill off
the very bacteria that we are trying to save.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

How old is this filter....

Been in use for 15 days.

Saint Paul, Minnesota USA 20g Freshwater Started June 10th 2008
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