I have so many questions! The more I read and learn here at Koko's the more the info gets jumbed in my head. I thought I would break my questions up in different threads by topic. Hope that's OK.

Today's questions are about filters. The tank I presently have was inherited from someone who no longer wanted it. It's horribly overstocked but I'm actively looking to rectify that. It's 20 gal. with an AquaClear 20. It came with a foam sponge, activated carbon and Biomax ceramic rings. The previous owners had also purchased Zeo-carb filter inserts. Presently all 4 are in the filter basket. My questions are:

1) Should all 4 be used? The zeo-carb "combines activated carbon and ammonia remover" Does that make the activated carbon insert unnecessary? Is the zeo-carb preferable to the plain carbon?

2) How often should each be changed? I do understand not to change them all at the same time to avoid throwing away all the good bacteria.

3) Under what circumstances would I remove the carbon? I read that when medicating the tank that the carbon would remove the medication from the water but when I was treating with Maracyn it says you don't have to remove the carbon as long as it's more than 6 days old.

I'm trying to compile basic info so I can print it and have it on hand so I can find it easily if I have any problems and don't have to read through a thousand threads looking for something I know I read somewhere.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi Diamond Aquaclears are great filters!

I'd just toss the zeo-lite/carbon pouch, especially since its old. If you have zeo-lite in your filter, it will interfere with the nitrogen cycle. Do you know about the nitrogen cycle? These two are considered components of chemical filtration. Carbon is usually pretty useless unless you are removing medications. If you wanted to keep carbon in the filter, you need to change that out every 2-3 weeks. Yah..just throw that away.

The ceramic rings are the most important media in your filter. This is where the beneficial bacteria will grow and thrive, hence the name biological filtration. Never wash the ceramic rings in tap water or replace them or your nitrogen cycle will crash and your fish could get sick. Since you mention that you're overstocked, I'd use another net of ceramic rings to take the place of the zeo-carb.

Sponges are the mechanical filtration. They will strain debris that gets sucked up in the aquarium. You can gently wash these in dechlorinated old tank water to keep them clean. If they get so gross that its limiting the flow rate in your filter, you can go ahead and replace it with a new sponge, but be sure not to disturb the ceramic rings.


Hope that helps

Thanks Kissy. They actually had a box of the zeo-carb inserts. I just changed it about 3 weeks ago and have one more new one left. Since it says "ammonia remover" I thought it might be a good one to use. Do I know about the nitrogen cycle? I'm not sure. If that means cycling the tank - then I do - sort of.

So, the sponge filters out particulates and debis & the carbon filters out meds. The ceramic rings are where the good bacteria are stored. Yes? If I'm not medicating I don't need carbon? Sorry to repeat myself but just want to be clear. If the carbon isn't necessary why do they include it with the filter and recommend using it?

Yep, you got all that right

Zeo-lite can be useful in some situations, but not in the typical aquarium. It will suck up ammonia in the water, but by doing that, it will not let the tank cycle, or it will starve the good bacteria and they cycle will crash. Using the nitrogen cycle is usually better because zeo-lite can be unpredictable if not frequently monitored.

Carbon will suck up other chemical impurities, but there shouldn't be many in the tank to begin with and fish get along perfectly fine without it. Carbon needs to be changed every 2-3 weeks or else it may go bad. I keep bags of carbon around, but I don't use them all the time because it can be expensive to replace them, especially if they aren't really needed. I use them to absorb medications from the water when I am done medicating a fish.

Why do companies sell and encourage use of those two products? Well, they do have their uses, but they just aren't important. You have to remember that whatever product companies say, money is more important to them than your fish.

Great - I think I've got it. I'm going to get another pack of ceramic rings and just keep the extra carbon and zeo-carb inserts I have on hand for when I need them. Thanks again!