Equipment Review and Discussion :: Filtration question/suggestions

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Post Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 8:33 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

Very nice! The sand is a pain to clean, but I like its look.

Don't worry about PH. Your turtle isn't breathing it like a fish. Consistent PH is more important than the value as long as it's not way out of whack. My tap varied between 7.6 and 8.1 back when I was measuring it. The tank usually was around 7.8.

I haven't checked it in years, and the fish and shrimp are doing fine.
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Post Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 10:32 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

Good to know. Thanks.
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Post Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 2:13 am   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

I don't check anymore either. If you have a good municipal water supply, dechlorinate and do regular partial water changes, you should be fine.
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Post Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 7:29 am   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

whats good to dechlorinate? just a top water conditioner? I'll use that typically, as well as, it was either stress-zyme or Bio-zyme. a bacteria booster... I'm actually out and have to refill today.
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Post Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:45 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

Activated carbon. It's cheap when you buy it in bulk. It's fairly reliable (many refrigerators use them now) but you will need to buy a small mesh bag for them. If you already use bio media in your filter, not need for a booster when you change the water.
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Post Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:39 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

Ah, ok. The top tray is all Carbon. Thanks again.
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Post Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:56 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

How big is the tray? You don't need to pack that much in... usually we add a ton of bio media in there.
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Post Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 9:23 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

its a Fluval 405. I have two of the pre-packaged fluvial carbon bags. I just picked up the reusable bags, and will start filling my own, way cheaper.
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:08 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

Is there ever a need to"backwash" the filter?
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:37 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

No, they are not designed for that. To clean the media, you just take it out and hose it off/rinse it the best you can. After awhile, the foam media deteriorates so you need to replace that when it starts to happen. BIO media should only need a quick rinse and should last forever. Carbon needs to be replaced (empty bag, add new carbon, rinse, back into filter) and if you're using Purigen, you can regenerate and reuse.
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 3:15 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

That's what i figured.. thanks.
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Post Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:59 pm   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

And be sure to rinse the media in tank water. Otherwise, you risk killing off the bacteria colonies growing in them.
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Post Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:23 am   Re: Filtration question/suggestions

Thanks again for all the advice.
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