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Can I increase the filtration of my tank some by adding more filter media to the existing filter pump, or is the only way to buy a separate filtration system?..............
I have an eclipse tank, so the filter is built right into the hood and the only hole in the hood is in the corner where everything else is and it could be quite cramped to try to put in another filter. Also, it would have to be a fully submersible filter because there's no place to put a HOB filter. If possible, I'd rather leave more room for my fish and just add more filter media; but I don't know if this would work. Thanks.

Hi,
Actually, I suspect that if you add more media to the
filter, you will decrease the flow, and actually decrease
the capability of the filter. If there is a place for
carbon, you could remove the carbon and add another sponge.
That would increase the surface area for bacteria to grow
on, and increase the capacity while not reducing the
filter's output.

Frank


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

I'm not too worried about the bacteria culture - my tank is an eclipse, so it has a biowheel that is never changed where the bacteria can live happily ever after. The sponge filter and carbon are the only part you change. You're 'supposed' to buy special cartridges that combine both the carbon and sponge filter that they recommend you change every 6 weeks; but I buy bulk sheets of filter media instead and just change the carbon mat every 6 weeks. I haven't changed the sponge filter yet, I usually just rinse it every now and then in the dirty tank water when I do a water change. The matting is much thinner than the cartridges; so I could easily add both more sponge and carbon matting. Will this increase the effectiveness of the filter?(noteince I ditched the pre-fab cartridges, the flow through the biowheel is so fast I wonder if the bacteria gets a chance to do it's job)

personally i would toss the the carbon. waste of space and that nonsense is dead in a matter of a couple weeks with such high flow filters. i keep a few cartridges with carbon for after medication and even then i usually just do water changes instead.

I say experiment and keep an eye on your flow rate. If you add so much media that the flow is impeded, then you're not helping filtration, the media will clog more quickly and you might put a strain on your pump. On the other hand, there's no point having the water rushing straight through.

I kind of agree with Sin about the carbon - but put it aside rather than throwing it out. It has its uses (removing meds, tannins, whatever) but I don't use it as a regular part of my filtration system.

My local fish guru(I hesitate to call him my lfs, because he's so much more), told me , by all means, use carbon, but don't change it. It works to remove harmful substances for 2-3 weeks and then it's basically just another sponge filter that adds to your biological filtration.