BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Bettas, fliters and currents

The filter shouldn't be turned off for more than a few minutes.

Thank you for letting me know that!

I imagine that when it's time to change the filter, I could take the filter box to the sink to wash off the slime?

Since I'm changing the filter (I think that's done monthly?) the beneficial bacteria are thrown out with the filter and recycling of the tank begins anew with the new filter?

Is that how it works? I wonder how a tank becomes 'seasoned' if that's the case.

What are the best kinds of filters do you think? I'm just starting to learn about them (biological, mechanical and chemical) but not sure I get it yet.

I just have the TopFin10 filter box and filter that came with the 10 gal. TopFin starter kit we got from PetSmart.

I was trying to figure out if I could put a better filter into the box I have or if the box would have to be changed to fit the filter I wanted? The filter is called 'media' too right?

Is there a way to have all 3 types of filter in one box? Some bio filters, I think, will take up parasites and such, which I think is very cool and a great idea.

Any clarification on this would be appreciated. I've done lots of reading but not much in this department yet.

Feel like doing a filter/media 101 class PaPeRo? Anyone? <img src="/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" />

Maybe a thread of its own would be better so it would stand out for others too since it's not really current related?

If you don't want to buy another filter then you can use your current one but you'd have to buy some filter sponge and put it inside the filter along with the carbon cartridge. This way your bacteria will always stay on the sponge even when you remove/replace the carbon catridge.

Personally I'd just buy another filter because your topfin filter doesn't have flow control. I'd recommend you get the Whisper model 10 because it has a built-in sponge that's separate from the carbon cartridge. Not only that but the carbon cartridge has an opening at the top that allows you to replace the carbon without having to buy a whole new cartridge. It of course has flow control too which you can turn down so your betta's bubble nests don't get blown away. <img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" />

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/shop_image/product/0567dfb31ff893217401ff047903c347.jpg

Oh btw you don't need to clean the filter for a very long time. Just replace the carbon every 2-3 wks.

That was extremely helpful. Thank you <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I wish the lps had mentioned the sponge trick. I'm going to go with a new filter, the Whisper 10 as you suggested.

Have to start all over with the cycling...but, live and learn.

I ran across something disturbing about activated carbon (not sure if the carbon in this cartridge is activated or not but..). It said there's a 'possible' connection between activated carbon and HITH (hole in the head) disease. If I can re-find where I found that, I'll post it here.

What other option is there besides activated carbon, do you know? It did advise to stop using it until there's more definitive science.

Namaste ((PaPeRo))

http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/filters.html

Looks like good filter information

There is more proof of people using carbon without ill effects than people having hole in head problems using carbon. There is no scientific studies showing carbon causes hole in head. It's all made up by anti-carbon zealots. I've used carbon in all of my many years of freshwater fishkeeping, and I've never had HIH in any of my fish.

When you switch to the new filter, save the media from the old one and add it into the new filter(if possible) or into the tank. This will help "seed" your new filter with bacteria.

I nevr use carbon in any of my filters but I have never heard of any negative effects of using it. In fact if my filter comes with it I leave it in, I just never replace it.

anti-carbon zealots? there's such a thing? what could someone have against carbon? hmm..

**A "Go Vegetarian" bumper sticker on an SUV** <g>

I've bumped into quite a few anti-carbon fishkeepers, but the only reason they can give me is why spend money on carbon when you don't really need it? I tell them that carbon doesn't cost that much and it has benefits that IMO are worth the marginal cost. They then tell me that I'm just wasting my money. <img src="/images/graemlins/wall.gif" alt="" />

>>people having hole in head problems

lol. I bet you meant to say that like that too. cute

I found tons of those anti-carbon sites last night, copying and pasting them here in a post. I closed explorer by mistake and didn't want to start over.

The information's all there for anyone who might be concerned ( activated carbon and HITH )

If there are other filtering options, as effective (<-- operative words, as effective, because I know it is) as activated carbon, I would go with the alternative...for the best reason of all...

Just cause. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

((PaPeRo))

I'll keep doing the research because I never want to be without a tank now, or 10 <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> nor a Betta so the research will go to good use and I'll try not to jump to conclusions (or buy the expensive diapers).