MerryMenagerie wrote:I looked through that thread, but it's different for each filter listed...
But look at the general guidelines.
No floss unless temporarily to clear cloudy water
No fine polishing pads, unless clearing water
If you look at water flow and media suggestions it is sponges -> carbon -> biomedia (rings, matrix, whatever).
So, I'd say look at the water flow and judge from that. If you've paid for the floss and have cloudy water, then use it with the expectation that it will probably clog sooner and may need changing sooner.
You want three big things from your filter:
1. Water turnover. Too fine of filtration will clog and work against that. Putting the sponges in front of the carbon helps prevent carbon clogging. Putting the carbon before the biomedia cleans the water of stuff that could clog the biomedia as well as things that could harm the bacteria growing there.
2. Conversion of ammonia/nitrite to nitrate. That happens everywhere, on the substrate, on the glass and ornaments but mostly in the biomedia. The carbon protects the bacteria by removing harmful chemicals. The things you change, like carbon, or can rinse easily, like sponges go in front of it.
3. Removal of harmful chemicals. That's your carbon. It is changed frequently, because it gets used up as it adsorbs chemicals. Sponges may eventually need replacement as they are repeatedly wrung out and rinsed. I'm told that biomedia can last forever.
