Rinsing Filter Pads

Byh20 · 12/21/2008, 01:37 PM

I'm running two Rena XP2's with just the filter pads, carbon, and LRR. I try to rinse the pads weekly to prevent NO3, and have been using water from the tank. It is ok to just rinse these in the sink as long as they're dry before putting them back in, or is rinsing them in tank SW the best for keeping the beneficial bacteria alive? Thanks again for all of the advice everyone.

sbeason · 12/21/2008, 01:43 PM

If you rinse with tap water, you will kill the beneficial bacteria. Use your old SW or rinse with RO.

Ranginute · 12/21/2008, 11:19 PM

I would think you should have enough beneficial bacteria in your live rock and sand.

I have two sponges that I rotate in my sump, swap them back and forth weekly or so. Wash the dirty one in hot tap water and let dry for the next weekend swap.

I fought nitrates forever in my tanks until I finally just stopped worrying about "good" nitrates in my filtering media (removed most of it). The freshwater theory of bacteria in your mechanical filters does not really apply in saltwater IMO. I use sponge, chaeto, live rock rubble and then skimmer in my sump.....zero nitrates.

Letmegrow · 12/21/2008, 11:28 PM

They sell big pads or rolls of filter material.

I don't but the ones they sell for the XP's anymore, just the stuff I cut myself, I don't rinse - I just throw the old ones out. It might cost me $6 a month at most this way.

saltyguy51 · 12/28/2008, 07:19 PM

You can buy bulk polyester pad from 1-4" thick and cut them up yourself at a fabric store. Its called nu-foam padding www.poly-fill.com

BigH55 · 12/29/2008, 09:29 PM

You should have some pads under your bathroom sink.

Byh20 · 12/30/2008, 05:30 PM

I gave those to your girlfriend, but she said she no longer needed them, so heres a heads up. Go get diapers.

BigH55 · 12/30/2008, 05:41 PM

Nice. I like young chicks but there usually out of diapers. By the way all that was a joke dont call the feds.

12/21/2008, 01:37 PM	#1
Byh20 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 366	Rinsing Filter Pads I'm running two Rena XP2's with just the filter pads, carbon, and LRR. I try to rinse the pads weekly to prevent NO3, and have been using water from the tank. It is ok to just rinse these in the sink as long as they're dry before putting them back in, or is rinsing them in tank SW the best for keeping the beneficial bacteria alive? Thanks again for all of the advice everyone.

12/21/2008, 11:28 PM	#4
Letmegrow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Hill Posts: 4,740	They sell big pads or rolls of filter material. I don't but the ones they sell for the XP's anymore, just the stuff I cut myself, I don't rinse - I just throw the old ones out. It might cost me $6 a month at most this way. __________________ I'll be just fine pretending I'm not. Understand, Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression.

12/30/2008, 05:30 PM	#7
Byh20 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 366	I gave those to your girlfriend, but she said she no longer needed them, so heres a heads up. Go get diapers. __________________ There's no fighting evolution. I was built for speeeeeed. Current Tank Info: a zoo

12/21/2008, 01:43 PM	#2
sbeason Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lake St Louis, MO Posts: 1,391	If you rinse with tap water, you will kill the beneficial bacteria. Use your old SW or rinse with RO.

12/21/2008, 11:19 PM	#3
Ranginute Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 377	I would think you should have enough beneficial bacteria in your live rock and sand. I have two sponges that I rotate in my sump, swap them back and forth weekly or so. Wash the dirty one in hot tap water and let dry for the next weekend swap. I fought nitrates forever in my tanks until I finally just stopped worrying about "good" nitrates in my filtering media (removed most of it). The freshwater theory of bacteria in your mechanical filters does not really apply in saltwater IMO. I use sponge, chaeto, live rock rubble and then skimmer in my sump.....zero nitrates.

12/28/2008, 07:19 PM	#5
saltyguy51 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Morris, IL. Posts: 2,190	You can buy bulk polyester pad from 1-4" thick and cut them up yourself at a fabric store. Its called nu-foam padding www.poly-fill.com

12/29/2008, 09:29 PM	#6
BigH55 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shiloh,IL Posts: 992	You should have some pads under your bathroom sink.

12/30/2008, 05:41 PM	#8
BigH55 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shiloh,IL Posts: 992	Nice. I like young chicks but there usually out of diapers. By the way all that was a joke dont call the feds.