HOB filter 20 gallon tank - Questions

Cryptoblennie · 08/11/2011, 09:43 AM

Hiya Peeps!

Just a question for anyone who can help. I am quite new to this hobby, and I have setup a 20 gallon nano, I've got a HOB filter that has a sponge, activated carbon and what I believe is a bag of ceramic cylinders.

I clean the sponge out once a week, but my question is, how often I should replace the ceramic and carbon? are these a once a month replacement deally, or annually? Supposedly, the ceramic looking cylindars will collect and grow bacteria, so I am thinking if that is replaced, you are going to have a mini-cycle again in the tank. Also, the activated carbon, helps clean out DOCs, etc.

For reference; the HOB filter I have is an Aquaclear 50 hang on back power filter. The Mad Marketing Machine from Aquaclear says this about it's specs:

-Quiet
-Low operating costs
-Complete filtration
-Large filter media volume
-Superior contact time with filter media
-Cycle Guard, for continuous biological filtration and superior water quality
-Includes foam, carbon & BioMax Filter inserts
-CycleGuard now with BioMax—Preserves beneficial bacteria for a stress free environment. A healthy aquarium requires "beneficial" bacteria. Invisible and harmless, beneficial bacteria are essential in the removal of toxic ammonia and nitrate.

Any recommendations? thanks.

thebkramer · 08/11/2011, 10:15 AM

WELCOME TO RC & THE ADDICTION!!!

I use a HOB aquaclear also.. I would personally toss the ceramic cylinders.. they are nitrate hoarders lol I've used a HOB for 5 yrs.. with using the ceramic cylinders for first 3yrs and ALWAYS had nitrates

I finally came acrossed this site and was suggested to me to toss them.. I no longer have nitrate issues!!!

I would look into getting a HOB skimmer if you don't have one yet.. they are amazing at keeping water quality "pure"
Depending on your Bioload depends on how often to switch out foam and carbon. I change my foam every month and my carbon every other month.. I also use way more carbon then it "calls" for.. for added protection

CycleGuard?? is that something you're dosing??
I would not dose anything at all ever unless absolutely necessary!! Water changes should always be enough along with regular tank maintenance

Here are some Great Links for Just Getting Into the Hobby

WaterKeepers New to RC
WaterKeepers New to RC2
WaterKeepers Newbies Info
Capns Log Book
Sk8rs Blog
RO/DI Unit FAQ

thebkramer · 08/11/2011, 10:17 AM

also.. what are you cleaning the sponge with??
I use my SW to give it a good rinse once a week... never use fresh water so not to kill beneficial bacteria (same goes for carbon unless rinsing for first time)

sporto0 · 08/11/2011, 10:18 AM

I would clean sponge weekly, change GAC every two weeks & rinse your ceramic rings in saltwater every 3 or 4 months approximately. Adding live rock will also provide an area for beneficial bateria to colonize. If possible a HOB skimmer will help you tremendously as well, 20g of water is not very much & keeping high nutrients in check becomes a challenge in small volume tanks. Good luck & enjoy!

Cryptoblennie · 08/11/2011, 10:30 AM

Thanks for all the responses!

Yeah, I keep a bucket of saltwater that I take out of the Display tank from water changes, and swish around my sponge/carbon/ceramics in that to get debris out. That's how I rinse or clean my Filter.

I do have 20ish pounds of Live rock, 25 pounds of live sand which creates about a 2-2.5" sand bed in the tank.

CycleGuard - this is just some kind of marketing term from Aquaclear. I am not dosing anything right now, and dont want to unless absolutly necessary. My tanks about a month old, and is doing great. I have had a number of organisms come out of my rock, flourish and have noticable growth in the past month. Zoa's, snails, brittle starts, sponges, feather dusters, starfish, etc.

My parameters are all great, except for pH being stable around 8.1-8.2(ish). I have since pointed my powerhead to create more waves on top for better air exchange and will measure pH again soon. My Nitrates are stable around 0.25 ppm - I will eliminate the ceramics and see what that does for me. All other parameters are 0 ppm.

Thanks all!

08/11/2011, 09:43 AM	#1
Cryptoblennie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 47	HOB filter 20 gallon tank - Questions Hiya Peeps! Just a question for anyone who can help. I am quite new to this hobby, and I have setup a 20 gallon nano, I've got a HOB filter that has a sponge, activated carbon and what I believe is a bag of ceramic cylinders. I clean the sponge out once a week, but my question is, how often I should replace the ceramic and carbon? are these a once a month replacement deally, or annually? Supposedly, the ceramic looking cylindars will collect and grow bacteria, so I am thinking if that is replaced, you are going to have a mini-cycle again in the tank. Also, the activated carbon, helps clean out DOCs, etc. For reference; the HOB filter I have is an Aquaclear 50 hang on back power filter. The Mad Marketing Machine from Aquaclear says this about it's specs: -Quiet -Low operating costs -Complete filtration -Large filter media volume -Superior contact time with filter media -Cycle Guard, for continuous biological filtration and superior water quality -Includes foam, carbon & BioMax Filter inserts -CycleGuard now with BioMax—Preserves beneficial bacteria for a stress free environment. A healthy aquarium requires "beneficial" bacteria. Invisible and harmless, beneficial bacteria are essential in the removal of toxic ammonia and nitrate. Any recommendations? thanks.

08/11/2011, 10:15 AM	#2
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	WELCOME TO RC & THE ADDICTION!!! I use a HOB aquaclear also.. I would personally toss the ceramic cylinders.. they are nitrate hoarders lol I've used a HOB for 5 yrs.. with using the ceramic cylinders for first 3yrs and ALWAYS had nitrates I finally came acrossed this site and was suggested to me to toss them.. I no longer have nitrate issues!!! I would look into getting a HOB skimmer if you don't have one yet.. they are amazing at keeping water quality "pure" Depending on your Bioload depends on how often to switch out foam and carbon. I change my foam every month and my carbon every other month.. I also use way more carbon then it "calls" for.. for added protection CycleGuard?? is that something you're dosing?? I would not dose anything at all ever unless absolutely necessary!! Water changes should always be enough along with regular tank maintenance Here are some Great Links for Just Getting Into the Hobby WaterKeepers New to RC WaterKeepers New to RC2 WaterKeepers Newbies Info Capns Log Book Sk8rs Blog RO/DI Unit FAQ __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

08/11/2011, 10:17 AM	#3
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	also.. what are you cleaning the sponge with?? I use my SW to give it a good rinse once a week... never use fresh water so not to kill beneficial bacteria (same goes for carbon unless rinsing for first time) __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

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08/11/2011, 10:18 AM	#4
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	I would clean sponge weekly, change GAC every two weeks & rinse your ceramic rings in saltwater every 3 or 4 months approximately. Adding live rock will also provide an area for beneficial bateria to colonize. If possible a HOB skimmer will help you tremendously as well, 20g of water is not very much & keeping high nutrients in check becomes a challenge in small volume tanks. Good luck & enjoy!

08/11/2011, 10:30 AM	#5
Cryptoblennie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 47	Thanks for all the responses! Yeah, I keep a bucket of saltwater that I take out of the Display tank from water changes, and swish around my sponge/carbon/ceramics in that to get debris out. That's how I rinse or clean my Filter. I do have 20ish pounds of Live rock, 25 pounds of live sand which creates about a 2-2.5" sand bed in the tank. CycleGuard - this is just some kind of marketing term from Aquaclear. I am not dosing anything right now, and dont want to unless absolutly necessary. My tanks about a month old, and is doing great. I have had a number of organisms come out of my rock, flourish and have noticable growth in the past month. Zoa's, snails, brittle starts, sponges, feather dusters, starfish, etc. My parameters are all great, except for pH being stable around 8.1-8.2(ish). I have since pointed my powerhead to create more waves on top for better air exchange and will measure pH again soon. My Nitrates are stable around 0.25 ppm - I will eliminate the ceramics and see what that does for me. All other parameters are 0 ppm. Thanks all!