>I'm not refuting your recommendation to rinse filter media under tap water,
>but I have a few questions as this sometimes results in the ammonia
>increasing for a while afterwards until the media gets established again with
>nitrobacter populations. Of course, much of this also depends on the bioload
>level of the tank, but then too, any material I've read on the subject from
>recognized sources advise rinsing the media in the tank water that's being
>discarded at the time of the partial water change.
I would suggest one wipe their fingers along the inside of an active
aquarium. The walls are slick with a slime of life. That is the
source of bacteria for any new filter pad.
An alternative to rinsing the filter pad is simply replacing it with
new. There isn't much nitrobacters on those surfaces. I think that is
the normal aquarists approach from instructions from most LFS so they
may sell more consumables.
I think this is the pivot point. - Either use new or wash the old and go on.
One uses a biological filtration media and a seeming large surface
area to convert the various Nitrogen compounds to Nitrates then less
harmful to the animals in the tank. Water changes are now much more
important to remove the Nitrogen compounds.
As I see it, the choice is NEW or wash the OLD. Irrespective of the
contents of the old filter media.
Flush the toilet. Vacuum the septic tank.
Charles H
>While many are aware that all inside surfaces of the tank contain these
>needed nitrobacters, aren't the majority of their populations inhabiting the
>filter media where conditions (food-&-oxygen-rich water constantly flowing
>past them) much more to their liking in promoting their multiplication, where
>they exist (despite the comparatively small size of the media vs the other
>inside surfaces)?
>
>If the inside surfaces contain large enough nitrifying bacteria populations
>to continue a cycle, why does a filter still need biological filtration
>media as opposed to just a mechanical media?
>
>If there's not enough chlorine or chloramine in tap water to kill these
>bacteria, would it not at least decimate them to much lower numbers, and would
>not hot water decimate many more?
>
>If there is not a long enough exposure to chlorine in the tap water to kill
>nitrobacters, would the results of hot water possibly killing a good
>portion of them off necessitate rebuilding the cycle again to
>properly convert the
>more toxic organic wastes to nitrate?
>
>It would just appear that Donna's (djransome) approach to cleaning the
>media would present no such risks, if risks are present otherwise, but I'd
>gratefully enjoy your further clarification of this point. BTW, I
>appreciate the
>fine job you're doing as AKA BOT Chairman so far this year. Keep up the
>good work!
>
>Ray </HTML>
>
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