Filter Replacement for AquaClear 70 / Fluval 306

accel · 03/22/2018, 10:45 AM

I just want to get clarity on this after reading a bunch of articles online.

For AquaClear 70, you only want to change the carbon every month. It may not even be needed. If you don't want it, an extra biomaxx is a good insert. Do not rinse the biomaxx and sponge. Do not replace them (maybe 10 years from now).

For Fluval 306, rinse the container every month but use the aquarium water and not tap water. Replace the carbon every month. Do not rinse the biomaxx and sponge. Do not replace them (maybe 10 years from now).

Did I get these things right?

Sugar Magnolia · 03/22/2018, 01:30 PM

No, definitely not. I cleaned the filter monthly, changed the carbon monthly, the sponge got rinsed weekly in fresh rodi water and the biomaxx was never used. The sponge needs to be rinsed frequently because it will trap a lot of detritus which when left unsigned can cause a nitrate and phosphate problem leading to nuisance algae.

Eug40 · 03/22/2018, 01:35 PM

I have a 206 on my 30g. Been doing 5g water changes every 10 days, and rinse all filter parts in the tank water during those changes. Not sure about how often to replace the carbon or the white tube cement thingies, curious myself.

AlSimmons · 03/22/2018, 02:17 PM

The rock in a saltwater tank is your primary biological filter, so basically you can skip both the biomaxx and the carbon. If you want to run a sponge though just clean it on a regular basis. If you do find the need for things like GAC or GFO then go ahead run it, but set a date to replace it and stick with it. A set routine can be a beautiful thing sometimes.

GL.

Uncle99 · 03/23/2018, 05:22 AM

I clean my aqua clears every week, carbon once a month
Carbon absorbs toxins and keeps water from yellowing

03/22/2018, 10:45 AM	#1
accel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 110	Filter Replacement for AquaClear 70 / Fluval 306 I just want to get clarity on this after reading a bunch of articles online. For AquaClear 70, you only want to change the carbon every month. It may not even be needed. If you don't want it, an extra biomaxx is a good insert. Do not rinse the biomaxx and sponge. Do not replace them (maybe 10 years from now). For Fluval 306, rinse the container every month but use the aquarium water and not tap water. Replace the carbon every month. Do not rinse the biomaxx and sponge. Do not replace them (maybe 10 years from now). Did I get these things right?

03/22/2018, 01:30 PM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	No, definitely not. I cleaned the filter monthly, changed the carbon monthly, the sponge got rinsed weekly in fresh rodi water and the biomaxx was never used. The sponge needs to be rinsed frequently because it will trap a lot of detritus which when left unsigned can cause a nitrate and phosphate problem leading to nuisance algae. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

03/22/2018, 02:17 PM	#4
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	The rock in a saltwater tank is your primary biological filter, so basically you can skip both the biomaxx and the carbon. If you want to run a sponge though just clean it on a regular basis. If you do find the need for things like GAC or GFO then go ahead run it, but set a date to replace it and stick with it. A set routine can be a beautiful thing sometimes. GL. Last edited by AlSimmons; 03/25/2018 at 10:07 AM.

03/22/2018, 01:35 PM	#3
Eug40 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 107	I have a 206 on my 30g. Been doing 5g water changes every 10 days, and rinse all filter parts in the tank water during those changes. Not sure about how often to replace the carbon or the white tube cement thingies, curious myself.

03/23/2018, 05:22 AM	#5
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I clean my aqua clears every week, carbon once a month Carbon absorbs toxins and keeps water from yellowing