Filter and Gravel Cleaning

[modelbuilder]

Hey All,

I have a simple 10 gallon Penguin Filter. It has the fuzzy bag with the carbon inside. Do I need to replace the bag and the carbon...or just the carbon?

Also, how often should I clean the gravel...I am think about 1/4 of the gravel every month since there is beneficial bacteria living in there. I don't want to wipe them out with one cleaning.

[Jay]

Hey modelbuilder


You should replace the bag and carbon.

You will not vacuum out the "beneficial bacteria". They are so well attached You would have to remove the gravel if you wanted to remove the bacteria.

The only bacterias that will come out with vacuuming are some of the Heterotrophic bacteria that feed on organic waste in the gravel and some anaerobic bacteria <- usually bad guys who can cause some bad smells and toxic gas to form in the substrate.

Vacuum away

Jay

[Mac]

What is a decent vacuum for a good price?

[RJRofFL]

Hello Mac.

Although you might think it's a little "overkill" at first, I would highly recomment the Python No Spill and Fill system. I believe Dr F&S has it occassionally on sale at around $25. It will pay for itself in the labor saving department.

I don't know how much you care about the drudging back & forth with buckets and how far from your tank are the faucets, but this system makes fast and easy work of siphoning and filling in one convenient package.
There are other similar brands available and if you do a little shopping around online you can find a good deal on them.

I can't imagine W/C without this system, and I have just a 29gal tank.

JMO

Bob

[orb4me]

I finally broke down and bought the python clean and fill. but I have a 5 tanks. hauling water about killed me.

There is another cheaper syphon you can buy, you still have to haul the water, but its nice for small tanks. I use it to clean my 10 gal, every once in awhile so I dont have to empty the hose and roll the darn twisting turning python. I can suck on the end of the hose, that doesnt bother me. A w/c is only 2 maybe 3 gal at the most for a 10 gal.

[tony]

A python is a great investment it makes water changes and vacuuming soooo much easier and quicker. As long as you have decent water pressure coming from your sink faucet. Mine was about $40 but I got the long one.

[LiVe4fIsH]

I second that. Only I built my own 'python' for about 10 bucks through Home Depot. Works awesome! Makes w/c as easy as reading a book! ha

Izzy

[muffineatsfish]

i heard you have to replace the carbon in the filter like every 3 weeks or something is this true?

[Jay]

i heard you have to replace the carbon in the filter like every 3 weeks or something is this true?

Yes muffineatsfish it is true. Your post is a little late on this thread and the discussion was most recently on a python which caused me some confusion about your question. IMO charcoal in a filter is only useful for a week or two.

Jay

[muffineatsfish]

thank you very much.sorry bout the confusion im new to this whole forum thingy.