FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi Folks

In my AC 300 I'm currently using 2 sponges. A charcoal pack is in temporarily to polish the water.

I'm wondering if I should replace one of those with some biomedia such as ceramic rings, bioballs etc.. Will it improve the biological filter ? There's alot of types out there as well as some people doing 'diy' media. What would you use if you had to buy it ? What would you use if you did diy ? I can get those media bags.

Any ideas appreciated, thanks

The Amazon Nut...

My AC500 came with ceramic noodles. Goes on top of the carbon pack and fits quite nice in the filter. I don't know how much it really helps, though.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

I have the same filter DaMoss, And AC makes a media called biomax that comes prepackaged to fit. Or you can buy the box stuff a bit cheaper and put it in the media bag. As for using it to replace the Carbon..I stopped using carbon about 8 months ago. and there is no noticeable difference in it. Look for AC 70, Aquaclear renamed it from the 300.

mts.gif" border="0"> I vote do you?
My Tanks at Photobucket

Thanks

I don't normally use charcoal, but had a scum like stuff on the surface of the water, it seemed to be originating from the filter, and didn't go away after I rinsed the pre-filter that was gummed up. The charcoal doesn't seem to be taking it up either. I'll probably have to get it out using a cup or something.

What about Purigen ?

The Amazon Nut...

Hi,
Scum can come in a couple of varieties.

An oil like film on the surface that when looked at in the
correct angle resembles the same rainbow colors as some
oil in a small sunlit puddle. This generally comes from
the foods that are fed to the fish. Check the labels for
the ingredients and switch foods.

Another Scum is white and forms in "pieces" as the stuff
sticks together, this can be protein based and also comes
from the fish foods combined (usually) poor cleaning.
Using an air stone, or spray bar to break it up, it will
eventually sink to the bottom where it can be siphoned off
during water changes.

In each case, if there is not a complete lid on the tank
and the tank is placed where smoking is permitted or smoke
from cooking is present, the smoke combines with dust and
makes the situation even worse as the everything (smoke,
grease, dust) all sticks together and forms a scum.

Frank


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

Something I have done to remove scum is to make a siphon based overflow. Just take one of the gravel syphons, and get an extra pice of tubing cut the tubing to about 7 inches long and cut slits (about 1.5 to 2 inches long, and a few mm wide) in one end take the end that is normal and place that in the connector by replaceing the Siphon tube that came with it. Start the water flowing, and turn it so the slits are at the surface. The siphon action then acts like a Surface Skimmer.

mts.gif" border="0"> I vote do you?
My Tanks at Photobucket

Thanks for the tips

No biomax at the store where I was this weekend but I'll be checking next store I'm at. That diy surface skimmer sounds good. Along the same idea, also thinking my siphon hose might be able to slide over the filter intake, if so I can try to manually siphon for a bit ?

I don't smoke inside & only cook in the microwave or slow cooker. Nitrates are at 30 but I let other things slack, like not shallow vaccing. I'm guessing there hits a point where the substrate needs attention. At the time the scum started, the main filter's pre-filter sponge was clogged up some. I cleaned it, and added a char pack (Apr 17). Looking today it's looking alot better but still a bit of film. And some whitish bubbles around the edge of the tank like when my oscar tank had a protein buildup ?

My next maintenance for this tank is shallow vaccing the substrate and I'll try to manually siphon off the surface film.

The Amazon Nut...