Equipment Review and Discussion :: Replacing Filter Pads

[megcornell]

I have a "fluval 4plus" (?) filter for my 30-35 gallon tank. I went to petsmart yesterday to buy replacement pads but I'm not sure which to get....
they have water clarity ones ( a rip off i think), the regular white filtration ones the filter came with, and carbon ones.
I'm thinking I should get carbon and the regular white ones- and put one of each in (there is room for 2 pads in the filter).

Does anyone have experience with this filter and can advise me? It's worked great so far so I'd hate to eff things up by getting the wrong stuff.
Thanks.

[jenaero]

Get the regular foam pads made for the Fluval 4plus. It will say that on the box. Also get the carbon inserts. There's room 2 white pads and a carbon pad in the between those.

[marisa]

I used a 4+ for a while (it's been sitting in a box for about a year now) Besides the sponges, at first I used to use the carbon pads and microfiltration pads (one of each) in the filter. I didn't find the microfiltration (white) pads to be all that effective---when I took them out to clean the filter, most of the pad would still be white, and only one end would be dirty. I don't think the water circulated well in the filter with both in it. Then I started alternating between the two (they are dinky pads, and I couldn't justify the cost of using both all the time for what they did. I think it's also recommended to replace them weekly). For me, the most important thing was just to keep the filter clean (which was a pain).

I don't recall the regular pads as being foam, more of a sponge. The other two pads were sandwiched in between those, which lasted quite a bit longer than the carbon and micropad.[/list]

[CrazyHouse]

You actually dont have to replace the spongy pads very often, I ran a Fluval 3Plus for almost a year withought replacing them, all you have to do is give them a thourough rinsing in tank water when they get clogged and dont worry about the colour. Although if they are physically degrading you should replace them.