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i have 2 aquatech 330s on the my 55 an a 125 on my 20...i am geting tired of getting the filter pads every 2-4weeks because they get expensive an want to get away from carbon. was wondering what would be a more better purchase filter floss or foam or a biowheel? Because i would like to have less changing of new filter pads and once the filters start to build up id rinse an scrub in tank water to get some unwanted debris off the pad but by doing that it made the gph lower..like less water would flow out of outtake....so which should i purchase a pound a floss or a block of foam or a couple of wheels? thanks for the response
Also if i put in new filterpads wouldnt the tank go through a whole new cycle? i know biowheels take longer for bacterial to build so what would be the fastest way to get bacterial on the pad to avoid a cycle? tank you:D

so what would be the fastest way to get bacterial on the pad to avoid a cycle?

change the inserts in one filter at a time

was wondering what would be a more better purchase filter floss or foam or a biowheel?

Most of my filters have foam in the instead of cartridges :thumbsup:
Still need to be cleaned - but cleanings free and no carbon involved


floss works ok - but after a few cleanings it's worthless and sponge lasts years add has more area for bacteria to colonize on.

Biowheel help - but they don't replace the actual media (insert) so you'd still want to add a sponge.


For the filters your useing - an aquaclear 5000 sponge can be cut in half and be enough for the whole filter for about $8 :thumbsup:

Originally posted by stilllearnin
For the filters your useing - an aquaclear 5000 sponge can be cut in half and be enough for the whole filter for about $8 :thumbsup:

That's great information! Because I want to get away from the constant cost of the Penguin/Aqua-Tech filter elements too. When you typed 5000 did you mean 500? --:cool: Man, I love picking your brain for info. When I update my Oscar site I probably need to rename it "Stillearnin's Other Website":D

--Mark:cool:

When you typed 5000 did you mean 500?

nope
The 5,000 sponges are bigger then the 500 sponges and for some reason usually cheaper.


From what I understand the Aquaclear 5000 sponges are made to replace the quickfilter attachment inserts for the (old) aquaclear 5000 powerheads. I don't see the powerhead for sale anymore but local stores still stock the sponges.

I'm still not sure why they sell a rectangular sponge to fit in a cylinder shaped powerhead filter but I just buy them for regular filters

thanks.....i bought two...aquaclear 70 filters and filter floss....differnence in clarity of tanks...still need to buy 2 more foams for other placements in filters....jus wanting for the foam to a nice colony on them....