Amazon Affiliate Link for Filter Floss: amzn.to/2XifyVl Amazon Affiliate Link for Filter Sponge (buy the thickness that suits your needs): amzn.to/2ypDJXc Want to learn more about aquarium filtration? Check out this playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PL79yWtqvNd3VElXizfsGaZ1K_qVgFLx13 Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Great info! I've always wondered if washing a filter cartridge would kill beneficial bacteria, now I know. What about intake sponges? Are they a good investment or unnecessary?
Buying! Question - I have 37 gal "starter" aquarium from PetSmart and it came with what I believe is an API hang on the back filter. In the filter there is what I believe is a charcoal bag with a hard plastic screen in front of it...should i retain the hard plastic porous screen when ditching the charcoal bag for your two suggested items? Thanks!
Got tired of replacing the filter for my HOB during water changes and decided to upgrade mine using a the TopFin Pro 30 gallon media kit. Cut it to size and so far so good! Waters crystal clear, and I doubt I’ll have to purchase any new media for awhile since I only have a 10g tank! Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoy you and wife’s videos. How you go into great detail. On why you do something how. And if there is other Alternatives. Keep up the great work.
Boy this is a change me giving the Professor a tip in one of my hang on back filters I use Sera Crystal Clear,it looks like little tennis balls when new. You can rinse and use indefinitely. After a little while they (don’t know a better way to say) dirty up and look kind of like moss balls. Drop them around different parts of new tank seeds tank very fast. Mentioned it to Sera both last Aquatic Experience when I met you. Yes you have to buy once but still using first ones,rinse and put back. It is my favorite way of starting a new tank. You and the wife have a great day stay safe!
The flos can be cleaned as well. Untill it starts comming apart very sitiuation is different but I clean mine about 10/12 times before renewal is needed. But I just have 3 filters going. If you run dozens it starts taking time.
Totally agree plus I dont like all the plastic used in those new filters not good for the enviroment at all they really need to rethink that and get back to basics I have been using the same as you with no issue for years.
JustinL614 Not so much for the fish but it’s very wasteful as they need replacing monthly etc so definitely not good for the environment and ending up on the rubbish tip 😡
This is a fantastic video, came back to it to send someone the link for it... very helpful tips to help get the best performance and save money! This video spurred me to buy a bag of filter floss a few months ago and it's fantastic. Cheap, easy, and I can usually rinse it out once or twice before replacing which would be really difficult with the floss stuck onto a cartridge.
I'm a fan of poly-fill. I have submersible filters and in the compartments (which are very roomy) I stack coarse sponge/poly-fill/coarse sponge. The sponge closet to the impeller is just to make sure none of the poly-fill stands get sucked into it. What I like about poly-fill is I can adjust based on need - pack in more if it's a tank that generates a lot of debris, or pack it light if not. I have planted tanks and some of my fish and burrowing snails kick up quite a bit of the aquasoil and at times can make a real mess of the filter. I can wash the poly-fill many times before I need to replace it, and a 5 lb bag of poly-fill is very cost effective and almost literally lasts forever - well, at least for me, I only have 6 tanks,... :)
Thank you for this information. I have taken your advice and I am very happy with the results. The aquarium water appears clearer in all 3 of my tanks. You are a genius!
Yes I totally agree I saw a similar video by aquarium co op and ever since then this is how I rig all my hobs it saves soo much money and really makes a huge improvement I have a penguin 350 with ceramic media on the bottom of both compartments fluval zeo carb on top of that and then coarse sponge before the water returns to the tank. I used to have coarse and medium but the medium clogged up fast and the filter was over flowing like mad so I just have the coarse sponge but I also have the fluval fx6 which is super packed with media and sponges so I have no worries lol.
been debating on switch out my small filter for a custom like this. Those are so small and expensive. This looks way easier. I need a bigger one for my hex tank tho mine seems too small do fit rings and sponges.
You, your wife and like two other youtube fish guys help me out so much but I’m still learning, wish you guys had away I could get some of them big fish tanks for cheap lol
Great video again! I am worried about certain polyfiber bags containing fire retardant chemicals , that is why I am worried about buying it from big box stores
Awesome video. A trusted source as always! Quick question: I noticed you said you rinse the sponge off in tap water and the exposure to chlorine would be limited and wouldn’t affect the good bacteria. That is great as I can’t stand having to pull out tank water just to clean filter media. A simple task can become a chore in this way. Was wondering, after putting the sponge back in, do you recommend adding dechlorinator (such as Prime) or is that not necessary? Thanks!
We do just because we are also doing water changes at the same time. If I weren't doing the water changes I probably wouldn't bother. The minute the sponge filter goes back into the tank the chlorine left in the sponge filter becomes highly diluted.
Jason, you are amazing, so knowledgeable! Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge. Just one suggestion that would be helpful for me, if you could talk a little slower. Can't keep up with that amazing brain!! 🤔
Hello PTA. Thank you for your helpful videos. What is your opinion on beneficial bacteria (in bottles)? Is it necessary to add some at every water change, in other words weekly? That is also quite expensive. Thanks for your time and expertise.
This is what I do when I buy a filter with cartridges: - cartridges go straight in a box with "backup media" in case of an emergency. - I cut and fit sponges from a big sheet. Less expensive than buying already customized sponges. - Heaps of bio-media (biomax, lavarock,....) - Filter floss. - A pre-filter (sponge) on the intake tube. That's all you need to have excellent filtration.
@@khydo yep all can go in HOB. You usually want the foam,then floss, then media. My Marineland Penguin HOB hated any kind of rock media in it for the bio wheel to work right so its full of sponges that get rinsed in tank water on water changes. I see why some dislike the Penguin because of the bio wheel not spinning properly sometimes. I think I found the problem it actually spins itself out of shape. For some reason it wasn't designed to fit together snugly and the fix is to take it off the filter and push it back together so it spins true.. I actually prefer a bunch of sponges in the filter now it moves a lot more water than it did with sponge and bio rock combo.The wheel doesn't seem to jam up as much with the increased flow too. I have an Aquaclear / Hagen too that I bought first but it cost around $33 on Amazon vs Marineland at around $12.
@@khydo The Hagen filter returns water to the tank at a steep angle too which disturbs the whole tank. I had to shove it to one side of the tank and put stuff under / around it but the current still drives the fish away from that side of the tank. Maybe another kind of fish would enjoy this but my Black Tetras hate it. I plan on growing a bunch of Hornwort and floating it by that filter, if that doesn't work I guess I'll just yank that filter out xD
starting my transition from cartridges to sponge+rings+carbon soon. i have an aqueon 30, still a bit unsure how i should put stuff in there though hopefully this video will help
Amazing content as always...I do exactly how you described...however when my filter floss gets dirty I rinse it thoroughly and use it again, I am using the same one for many months now...Should I change the floss or it’s ok use it many times after thoroughly cleaning its gunk...
When you have to add medication to the tank what media, if any do you need to remove while medicating your tank ??! Also how about a video on adding let’s say ICK meds to a large tank (showing us what media you remove, adjusting the temperature, water changes , feeding while medicating, etc. until the ick has been treated. that’ll be wicked helpful! 🙏 thx
i have just a sponge in my hob filters, ive been looking into what else i can add. so far im planning to add bio rings and filter floss! ive had them running without the replacable cartridges and just a sponge a month after setting them all up. so its been about 6 months now. water quality isnt bad or anything but i want better!
I use them on some of my tanks and like them. They are a bit of a pain to clean, but save on media in the filter because the intake sponge gets clogged first.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I saw a tip on some Amazon review. Use a plastic bag or container around the sponge and remove while the filter is running to keep all the stuff from flying. Pretty cool idea. I guess you could also suck the stuff off the sponge a bit when you siphon out water too.
Help for a rookie with a 10 gallon fish tank with plants: pleas and thank you! What piece should go in the little spot towards the bottom of a small HOB filter? Sponge or floss?
I generally go from coarse to fine. So sponge would be the first thing the water encounters and fine floss last. Any bio media would be placed after the floss.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks for the timely response ! I suppose I’m just trying to figure out how that would work vertically then. I’ve got an Aqueon HOB for ten gallon. Probably a base model.... trying not to invest too much until my son shows some significant interest in the hobby. So the carbon cartridge just slides I. One spot vertically and then there’s a tiny carbon rectangle thing that is put horizontally in the bottom area. I’m trying to ditch the carbon....
This is the method I use in my hob, my issue I think is with hard water and I have a constant algae bloom. I've tried everything and still have it. I just wanted Crystal clear aquarium 😂
My marineland C filters i rince them with my garden hose one time a week. This makes them almost new. I can do it 3 times max before the filter clogs the next day
I have the Top Fin Silentstream HOB filters from petsmart, do you know if I should place sponges and filter floss vertically or place them in horizontally like in the aquaclear filters?
I have an aqua clear 30 stocked with the default comes-with-the-box media including the sponge filter, the activated carbon filter and on top is the biomax. Personally, I like using bio filters because it never hurts to have extra surface for beneficial bacteria. Anyway, I am a bit skeptical of the carbon filter though. Yes, I have driftwood but not really against tannins. I am wondering if I should remove the carbon filter, add an extra sponge filter, a sheet of filter floss and top it with biomax to get the most out of my filtration.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thanks! I set mine up with sponge and filter floss after removing their cartridge then I put bio rings on top, but now I am wondering if it is just hitting the bio rings and going straight out. Wish I could send a short video of it to you.
Prime Time Aquatics , I was curious. There are enough humans out for everything to have been tried more than once With the quarantine, I can see a aquarist deciding to make enough to stock up for months. 😉
Really think im gonna atart doing this. So the sponge you use, would you prefer fine since it should absorb more than course would? I would set it up just like you with the white stuff behind it?
Before watching.. I just use fine sponge like a humidifier filter sort of and then I just squeeze them out like a sponge filter at water changes and then when it is time to change I run an extra one in front of the old one and then next water change throw out the old
New guy hear....prepping a 20 gallon tank....im not doing a mechanical filter, just an air stone and another filter hooked up to the air line. Will I be ok? Going to start with maybe 2 fish. Have added 2 live plants.
Love your videos. Question.. so i can replace my aquarium (topfin 8 gal) filter carteidge with simply the filter floss? D i need to add any other component?
I just switched to the 8d 8 layer sponge filter pad that you can find on eBay for my hob filter media .It's cheap, and I got a lot for my money, and it said you can use it up to 200 times .do you ever use them?
Maybe, but I just do what I want. More so because people right now are looking for ways to save money right now. I covered this partially a few years ago too.
I generally use whatever the filter comes with. I just started swapping out some of the media with sponges to save myself some money but didn't think to incorporate the filter floss too, so thanks for that. Another question I have is, in your opinion, how long is the shelf life for the activated carbon as a rule? Once it's no longer doing the job it's designed to do, could I cut the bag open and replace it with filter floss to try and extend the life of the floss or would the bag defeat the purpose of the floss?
It's hard to determine how long the carbon lasts because it depends on bioload and tank maintenance. I haven't found I need to put the floss in a bag. I just cut it out and it always manages to stay in the correct position. :-)
I'm a fan of filter packs , but when you change them will it affect the beneficial bacteria in the filter or will what's accumulated on the sides be enough?
hi again, just watched this video, i pack a aqua clear 70 with sponge on bottom, blue bonded pad, filter wool, good size bag seachem matrix (flat wise but thick) across the filter wool, chemi pure blue on top of the matrix... are you saying i could do away with the chemi blue and my tank will look the same, clear and polished look? i noticed a lot of you youtubers don't use carbon, purigen or chemi blue.. jay wilson, being one that does use chemi blue.. thinking can i remove the chemi blue and just add more filter wool and keep the same water look? i am thinking of getting a Penn-Plax Cascade 600 Fully Submersible Internal Filter, using filter wool or poly fill and the matrix from the AC 70 only, your thought, please.. *S btw, i changed my tank over to all multi's.. i love that 50 gallon lowboy tank you have.. it's like you have your own piece of Lake Tanyanika in your home.. well done *S
But what are you using for the chemical filtration? The hob will be the only filter I run. Where do I get the chemical from if I only use sponge and floss?
So i have this hob filter that i am planning on filling with bio rings. I am doing this because i will be installing a canister filter to take care of the mechanical filtration. Is this a good idea? To completely convert a hob filter into a bio only hob filter by completely filling it with bio rings? Or should I just completely remove my hob and let the canister filter do the job. Keep in mind i have plenty of bio rings so that is not a issue.
How would I switch from a cartridge that came with the filter to a sponge and floss setup safely? In terms of ensuring the beneficial bacteria are transferred.
I cannot find an HoB for my 40b with a 1 1/4 inch lip. Can't use a canister because the SO is too worried about them leaking and I don't want to modify this tank. I've spent hours looking for a dependable Hob but keep coming up empty.
I just ordered a filter sponge. Do I need the filter floss? I'm asking because on another video they said they only use the sponge, and I want to do what's best for my fish. I have a 10 gallon TopFin aquarium that was a kit.
Dumb question. I use a tetra whisper 20-40 gallon hob filter on my tank. Can I customize my tank using this method as I have my goldfish in the tank with this filter? Also do I throw out the course biomedia sponge that sits in a plastic grid in front of the filter cartridge or just put in where the cartridge would sit instead and put the filter floss in the holder. I know the sponges get rinsed out when dirty but does the filter floss or do you discard when it gets gunky? TIA for the help and clarification.
You mention not to put a fine filter over bio media because it destroys the biomes??? When I put Purigen in my hob aquaclear filter I usually put that on top. Is this wrong???
Usually the bio media/filter bag is on top and the water has already passed through the sponge media and filter floss. That will keep the biomedia from clogging.
Tanins are driving me crazy!! I have 32g with one sponge filter (just like the ones in the video here). Live plants, about 20 fish. I change the water 75% and it's clear, then within a day it's brown again. The tank has been set up for about 2 months. Taking the driftwood out would be an undesired solution. I've read that charcoal can help with the tanins. Anytime know if that is true? Also best filter to add to aquarium if I go with charcoal?
I'm not sure it would be very helpful given the differences in water parameters. My guess is you would lose a substantial amount of the beneficial microbes due to the differences in water parameters.
Good question. I usually put the colorful side as the last side that gets the water flow, but I don't think I have ever seen a big difference either way. :-)
I should change my name to The Skeptical Aquarist, or something similar. I'm in complete agreement with you in rinsing sponges etc under tap water. The internet's rife with people warning about "crashing" one's biome by washing it out of the filter sponge. I'm pretty sure if you were able to total up the surface area of a sponge and compare with the surface area of everything in an aquarium, it'd be just a small fraction and the bacteria community wouldn't even blink at the loss from the sponge. Now, on the subject of pH and CO2....
I commonly put matrix in my backpack filters at the bottom. I am unaware of the bio film killing the beneficial bacteria. Would a nitrate spike be evidence of that beneficial bacteria dying?
Good question. It's not biofilm that kills microbes - that is actually produced by microbes. It's all the fish waste and other forms of detritus that can cover the surface of filter media that suffocates the microbes. You probably won't notice a big difference because the microbes in an established tank will grow to compensate.
Man I have 12 fish tanks 5gal to 55gal. Every one has 2 hob filters on them. Top fin, Aqueon, marine land, aqua clear, and tidal. What or where would you recommend I shop for sponge 30=40 ppi?
