wet/dry media

[joselastra]

i have a question about m wet/dry. i would like to begin the removal of my bio-balls, now i know i shouldtake some out at a time but i would like to know how long before they are all removed? over a 2-3 week period? also is there anything i should replace them w/? my setup is a 55g w/ about 70-75 lbs lr and 50 lbs ls. my lights are 130w power compact and acitinics. i have recently begun incorparating some softies and zoo's inside the tank. the return on the tank s a rio 2100. i also have another rio 2100 in the wet/dry that powers my skimmer along w/ a mini maxi-jet for my phosban reactor. any suggestions/info are welcome and much appreciated. the tank has been running for about a year.

[cloak]

Two to three weeks sounds about right. Maybe a little longer just to make sure the change won't disrupt the system. With an adequate skimmer and regular water changes, I woulnd't use any type of media. Let everything just flow.

[Fourty Two]

you should be able to take them out all at once. but it ou want to be careful you can take out a handful every day

[joselastra]

so slow removal over 2-3 weeks, sounds good. leave the chamber empty? should i still use a 100 micron filter pad?

[Fourty Two]

only use filters if you change them reguraly (twice a week). i would just leave it empty, skimmer would be a good item to occupy space under your stand

[joselastra]

i have been changing themtwice a week, can they be washed, or is it just common practice to replace w/ new?

[Fourty Two]

the most common thing to do here would be a filter sock, which can be washed. i have about 8 of them, use a bunch till they are dirty, throw the dirtys in the washer with no soap, just a bunch of regular bleach. let them run for two cycles, and they are back to normal