Pot Scrubbers For Bio Media? - (Can it be done?)
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- čas přidán 11. 07. 2024
- I removed all my bio media from 2 FX6's and used nothing but Pot Scrubbers For Bio Media! 2 months later, these results may surprise you!
Pot Scrubbers work just as good, if not better than many of the expensive products on the market today. Besides keeping the tank cycled and stable I've also maintained my crystal clear water quality.
What conclusion did I come up with while using nothing but pot scrubbers for bio media? Pot Scrubbers are the truth! 😁💪
Watch Part 1 Here - • Fluval FX6 Best Media ...
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You are very brave to debunk all this hype around bio media publicly. You’re the first doing this, many other fish keeping CZcams channels still talk about that god forsaken biohome which is absolute waste of money. Keep up the good work amigo
Thank you bro, I knew going in that I may take some backlash but if it worked, I wanted to share with my viewers so you guys can save some money. And don’t get me started on the HUGE waste bio-home is lol IMO anyway. I did a video a while back on my results trying biohome and everyday I still get negative feedback on that video because it didn’t do what it claims to do...for me anyway....
Because like you said it’s so popular people don’t know they’re burning money! 🤷🏼♂️
I agree, I'm glad you made this video! :) You're really helping hobbyists by sharing your honest, critical opinion on stuff like this.
@@KaveManAquatics I mean u don't have to test it. Those biohome doesn't exist when this hobby first started and the fish survive and thriving till these day😂😂😂
The point of biohome and similar is to get anerobic bacteria. The pot scrubbers will only support aerobic bacteria so you will have to do more water changes. Another way to get anerobic bacteria is to run an undergravel filter.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication kev! Great video as always
Thanks bro! Glad you enjoyed it! 😊💪
Woooo first! Actually I’m glad to see that the pot scrubbers worked, shows that expensive biological media is just that, expensive media 😅
Yes sir, I wont waste another dollar on any more bio media
Absolutely love your videos!!
Thank you!
Your way of presenting is what keeps my attention till the end of the video! Kudos for that🍻
Awesome! Thank you! 😊
This is great advice for those on a budget and this actually works I still use this on all my filters with no problems.
Thanks! I totally I agree!
I never thought the experiment would work😂,
Great video as always💪
Thank you bro...I was skeptical myself, lol
I wish I would have saw all the pot scrubber videos before I fully upgraded with bio home, matrix, and bio media lol. 2 weeks into this hobby and your making my experience alot more easy and alive. I appreciate it alot. This is why I subscribed.
Thank you! Glad you're finding the channel helpful! 😁💪 Im currently running a test on Matrix so dont get rid of it just yet 😊
I'm definitely gonna gradually switch out my Biohome for scrubbies, mainly because I have osteoarthritis, and doing this will reduce the weight of the FX6 when taking it out and putting it back in the cabinet! I also love the tip of putting chemical media in top tray for easier monthly switch outs. Thank you for these great hacks. Love your channel!
I was waiting for this result. 👍
Hope you enjoyed it!
@@KaveManAquatics yup asusual nailed it.
Brilliant. You sir are the professor. Thank you!
lol My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁
I have used pot scrubbers for years and love them. So cheap and efficient
Agreed, Lets get the word out and get the big companies mad lol
Brilliant idea. Thnx❤️
Most welcome 😊
Nice vid Kev, great channel wish I would’ve used the pot scrubbies at the start but since already cycled gonna leave it alone
Thanks 👍 Yea I agree with that...if you're already set up, dont change anything...this is helpful for your next tank! HAHA
I filled my fx6 with bio media was nearly as dear as the fx6 lol
Definitely setting it up like this with sponge and chemical in top tray , I had it arse about face and maintenance became a real chore .
Great video Kev been waiting on this one to see how it turned out. Well done mate
Thank you bro! Glad you enjoyed it. Come back and share your results after your switch over 😁
Seriously the best “no BS”aquarium channel on CZcams right now. All these other aquarium channels are “fluff:BS:fluff:fish stuff:BS:fluff:subscribe to my BS channel:fluff”. I miss my cichlid setup even though I just switched over to a marine aquarium. Major learning curve on a marine tank. Hoping one day you get into saltwater so I can just copy your stuff 😂!! Great job Kev!
Bro this comment was auto flagged by youtube and I just now noticed it, 3 weeks later! But ITS GOLD!! 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for the positive feedback! And I'm pretty sure that one day I'll pivot over to the salt water side...just a matter of time 😊💪
good stuff kev. yu da man
Thank you bro! 😁💪
I've been putting the setup of my Fx6 on the back burner due to the cost of bio gold . After watching your video , I'm setting it up this weekend! Pot scrubbers for the win !
Yes Sirr! So glad I could help! 😊💪
thanks bro you're the best
My pleasure! Glad you're finding the channel helpful 😁
Thank you Kev! I was skeptical at first but I have been using these pot scrubbers for 6 months now. Water parameters have never been better and I now have them in my filters for 2, 55 gallon tanks and a 20 gallon tank. One of the 55 gallons has 19 3-4” mbunas. The pot scrubbers don’t restrict the filter’s flow either.
Glad to hear it! I kept them for a full year and my tank never had any problems. They absolutely work for what you need 😁
I've been using pot scrubbies in my trickle filter sump for years and believe they are the reason why my ammonia and nitrite numbers are excellent. Getting nitrate to a zero reading is a different story which hovers between 40-80ppm. Well done video, Kev!
Thank you bro, I know many veterans have known about pot scrubbers but the big companies do such a good job in their marketing it drowns out the easy and cheap to use Pot Scrubbers. So new guys always go the expensive route not knowing about this option 😁
I just put big chunks of lava rock in mine, amonia and niteites always at 0 even with no water change for 1 month, nitrate is a different story even if I do water change it stays around 40 to 80ppm like yours, out of the tap it's 5 to 10ppm
@@assassin3003 lava rock is a great bio-media. But regardless of what you use. Ammonia and nitrite should always be at 0. If it’s not, your tank isn’t properly cycled.
As promised Kev you uploaded the test results thank you!!
1st upload was educational, part 2 is inspiring. Pleasantly surprised that your still reading 0 ammonia, begs the question why we spend ££££,$$$$ and €€€€ on media. Massive thanks. Per mare , Per Terram 😉
Glad you enjoyed it bro. I ask myself that same question...maybe at some point in the future I run a test with no bio-media at all, nothing but mechanical media only...HMMM That'll really make everyone think about saving money. I'd have to have some backup seeded media though just in case something goes wrong...But I can see that experiment happening sometime in the future 😁👍
@@KaveManAquatics Now that would open a few eyes if it was pulled off Kev.....how times change......30 yrs ago weekly water changes was never heard of. Test kits .....I don’t think I ever owned one!
Good deal, good video, I use the fiberfill pillow material, and I have used scrubbing pads too.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! 😁💪
Thanks for the video, your channel offers really excellent tips and that’s why I’ve subscribed. What brand heater do you use in your tanks??
Thanks! Welcome to the channel! Navigate to equipment/heaters in my shop for the heaters I use - kavemanaquatics.com/shop
Great video kev as always! For bio media reducing nitrate, I read that to grow that anaerobic bacteria can take months and using prime or safe kills it which is why nitrates creep up. Wonder if you swap safe/prime for a straight dechlorinator what the affects would show.
I have heard that theory too, that using prime doesnt allow for bio-home to work properly. Personally I think its just some BS being marketed as an excuse as to why it doesnt work...I have read many articles with super technical testing being done and they all resulted in the same thing. No anaerobic bacteria, no reduction in nitrates....but somehow some people still say it works for them...are they lying? are they paid affiliates? is something else like plants helping to reduce their nitrates and they think its the biohome doing it? I really don't know bro 🤷♂️🤷♂️
What I do know is these $7 pot scrubbers keep my tank cycled and I plan to do my nitrate reduction by always providing them with fresh clean water through big water changes, cause I love them! 😁😁
@@KaveManAquatics very true it's probably just marketing and you've definitely converted me for future setups to run cheap pot scrubbers or sponges!
Love the zoom in Emphasis on "you've been warned"
lol Im trying to get some dramatics going on the videos lol
You have the camera presence of someone who has been on CZcams forever and who has a million subs. Keep it up man!
Really? lol thank you! Hopefully some day I can get there
Great video, thank you! Currently building a 210 gallon aquarium and I am planning to use pot scrubbers and foam in the sump. Also, thank you for your service to our country, have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Thank you sir! Same to you! 😁💪
🤔
You can get the same results from a less expensive canister filter... Save more money all the way around...
Great Vid Bro...
You help prove a point I've been saying for years...
Stay Focused and Blessed
Absolutely, these pot scrubbers can be used in any filter 💪
Great stuff! Are you going to change the second filter, fx6 out completely too, for pot scrubbies? This is incredible! I Am astonished!
Yes I did! Check out the Pot Scrubber playlist for the entire experiment 😁
Been using pot scrubbers a week after I seen the first video and surprisingly it's working great especially at such a low cost
Not surprising to me! lol Glad to hear its working well for you...I think my tank is going over a year now with just pot scrubbers! 💪
Nice, love this experiment! Years ago I replaced bio media in my canister with just gravel for a bit (while I used it to start another tank). Worked fine. Tank was crystal clear.
Most of the time, the sponges in your filters are more than enough surface area for the amount of bacteria you need. 😊
Hi Kev, i have been doing alot of research on the pot scrubber thing, and can,t find a single negative. I only run 1 fx6 so will change mine over a 6 month period 1 tray at a time. The only thing i would say is maybe you have to be careful how you clean them, apparently it is very easy to wash off the good bacteria. Many thanks for the excellent videos, i have learnt tons.
You wont find any negatives here either, lol Because they absolutely work! In the year I had them in my filters I never needed to wash them even once 😊
Thanks, another great vid...Great idea that works !
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it
This is pretty genius, I wonder will pot scrubbers work in a fluval canister as well? Hope you make a video doing the fluval 407 with the scrubbers
Absolutely. The pot scrubbers can go in the same basket you would put other types of bio-media.
wow that is great news cheim blue cost too much money ,will try it out. THANKS
Glad I could help
Just ordered mine for my tank.
Awesome!
GREAT ADVICE
Those pot scrubbers are SUPER CHEAP.
Peace ✌
Yes indeed!
Kev you should make video about what got you into the fish aquarium hobby
It's already on my list!
cleanest tank I've seen
Thanks bro! 😊💪
nice I have used pot scrubbies for years. bought a ton of it when local store had 10 packs for a dollar. have so much left over
Nice! Many have proven that they work just as well as anything else 😁
I believe that Eheim mech pro might be the best mechanic and biomedia out there. Fill a fx6 with this and the result would be great
on my marineland 450 pro i use sponge intake and i only use biohome gravel in the media cartridges… that worked for me all the other ones like ultimate never work for me its all about surface area making sure your water is passing threw the media not around it 👍
Great video. The more I read the more I’m convinced an FX6 filled with sponges and sand substrate provides more than enough surface area for a healthy colony of nitrifying bacteria.
Absolutely! 😁
Media density and a quantity are the secret to a good bio set up. Bio home is the opposite of what is recommended, note how fast it becomes saturated with water. Your sane bed is also a bio source in a tank.
I've been using pot scrubbers since I started the hobby. Got some really good gouge and it's been nothing but successful. People love the water quality in my tank too. Great videos man
Thank you bro, I agree Pot Scrubbers do an awesome job!!
Do you have to replace them???
@@mariovanandchairzardvan1227 I just rinse them in tank water about once a quarter when I "clean" my filter
What to do if you ever have to change them ?
@@mohammadhakim4936 if I ever had to replace them, I would only replace one tray's worth at a time. Then do the other tray 2-3 weeks later
I though Bio ball was good. But Pot Scrubbers? Now that's a great idea.
Bio balls are better in a sump, not in a canister.
Kev, what do you think of those k1 floating bed filters? I'm sure you've seen the endless diy videos about them. I personally like seeing them move within my old tanks. Sadly after I moved I fell out of my hobby but you're videos resparking that flame!!
K1 media is very good media, but like you said its gotta keep moving to be effective. Glad you enjoyed the video 😊
I have demonstrated in my testing that the pore structure in Biohome clog with detritus and your aquarium water circulates around (not through) the Biohome making it literally worthless.
@@HalfManHalfCichlid I agree that biohome seems like just great marketing and not much else.
Hi Kev, for starters thank you so much for all your info and advice, I wouldn’t be in this hobby if it wasn’t for your channel. So my question is I have a FX 4 and with the ceramic rings for bio media, you mentioned to replace about 10% at a time with the pot scrubbers meaning once a month, would you recommend about 2-3 scrubbers a month in each tray?? Or just put a couple of scrubbers on top of the ceramic rings every month?? Thanks again for all your help, greatly appreciated.
Glad to hear I was able to help you start in the hobby!! 😊 First thing, the pot scrubbers arent any better or worse than the ceramic rings you're currently using. So its not necessary to change over. This video is intended to inform viewers that these cheap pot scrubbers will work and can be used instead of purchasing other expensive media. But if you've already started with the media your filter came with thats fine too.
Now if you just wanted to change over to pot scrubbers because you prefer them, then yes you can add them into your basket with the ceramic rings. After a few weeks you can remove some rings to make space for more pot scrubbers. Continue this trade off until you get to no rings and full pot scrubbers. Good luck!
So Kev did the move to pot scrubbies reduce the bubbles that we experience during the FX6 shutdown and purge?
I appreciate you running this experiment and your comments that if we are happy with what we have keep on. I do hope you revisit this long term to see if it’s even better than what you were using. I’m concerned of flow bypass around the scrubbies as I saw open areas, you know path of least resistance. Years ago in my Eheims they had a plastic “Easter Grass” that looked like scrubbies if unfolded.
You might be into something Ray, because since changing to Pot Scrubbers in the 210 I’ve noticed my FX6 on the 150 purging a lot. Could be that since it seems it’s the only one purging now I notice it more. When before all of the FX6’s were purging on a rotation. I honestly haven’t noticed any purging from either FX6 on the 210...soon I may add the pot scrubbers to the 150 FX6 just to see if the purging changes there as well.
Pot scrubbers work great. The problem is the price has been hiked up because of the hobby. They used to be $1.00 for 6 at my local Dollar Store and now they never have them, and they cost more online. Great Video!
Well its $7 bucks for 24 so its not way off 😊 Glad you enjoyed the video
Looking to upgrade tank size. Can you do a general review on the experiences and differences between the tank sizes you’ve had. You’ve climbed the ladder. Could you go over the pros and cons of each tank size? Also, can you talk about the weight differences and what’s supporting your floors. You’re at least 3k lbs in tank weight.
Thanks bro, I'll def add to my list of videos...I absolutely prefer the bigger tanks. Much easier to maintain proper water parameters and of course the view is awesome. My tanks are on a concrete slab so weight is no issue.
@@KaveManAquatics ah bless!!!
I can't wait to do that on my tank once again thanks for the info bro
My pleasure! 💪
Hi Kev, how do I seed the potscrubbers in my 40 gallon breeder to speed up the nitrogen process for a 75 gallon new tank setup? I love your channel BTW and appreciate all you do for us newbies.
A bit confused...are they already seeded in your 40gallon and you want to move them to a 75? If so, nothing to worry about they will cycle the 75 instantly. If theyre not seeded at all and you have fish in the tank then you should add prime and stability daily until the tank cycles.
Hey bro fantastic video wouldyou recommend lava rock? I used 5kg sunsun 304b seems to work fine, or would pot scrubbers be the better option?
Lava rocks are a great form of bio-media. Which one is better? Who knows, but they can both get the job done 😁
According to the tests done on aquariumscience.org/index.php/7-filter-media/ lava rock would perform poorly compared to foam and pot scrubbers.
Yes I’m using the Pot Scrubbies in the FX4 and I see that it took a Couple of Days:) to see a Difference, Question I forgot to add my My Polishing Pad to the Top Tray and my Goofy 😜 self added it on the bottom can I go back into the FX4 and Change the pad and put it on the top? But as usual a Awesome 😎 Video
Yes, try to save as much canister water as possible just to not disturb any new bacterial growth. Thanks bro, glad you enjoyed the video!!
NICE.
Would like to see how FX6 #2 with the pot scrubbers performs, on its own, if / when FX6 #1 is turned off
I would never do that. 1 FX6 isn’t enough turn over for an overstocked tank. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Hi kev thanks for the info… after how many months do we have to replace the old pot scrubber ?
Never! Pot scrubbers and any other type of bio media do not need to be replaced. I highly suggest you check out my playlist for beginners. It'll be very helpful for you 😁 - czcams.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er.html
Hi Kev
See you are putting fine sponge at the top, I've got mine on the last tray, bottom, opinion on which is better?
In an FX6 your fine sponge needs to go on top before water hits your bio-media
Great video bro. I agree a lot of aquarium equipment especially filter media is mostly hype. I’ve been using lava rock and pumice for a few years now never looked back since. Keep it up.
Those are both awesome choices for bio media! More great options other than the expensive stuff 👍
Congratulations bro you chose one of the best bio media- Pot Scrubbers
Hey Kevin love ur vids, I've just brought a brand new tank and fx6. My question is can I start off with the pot scrubbers for a new tank? Or should I wait till the tank is established first?
Absolutely, your tank will cycle and establish with pot scrubbers just like all the other expensive stuff 😁
@@KaveManAquatics Thanks bro u are a legend. Keep up the good work!
You know what works really good, a white buffing pad, all I do is cut it to size, it last forever
Yup, that works well too. I use those occasionally as well!
Hey Kave
Thank you for all the great videos.
I have a question, I just realized that there are no filter or airpump noises in the background.
Let’s say fx6’s are not noisy so mic can filter them but I wonder what do you use for air.
Whatever you are using should be silent as I don’t hear them.
Can you share what the brand is?
Thx
I only have 1 tank with an airpump, it's setup behind the camera and mike. But the big tanks use wavemakers which are silent and create the best surface agitation. Watch this - czcams.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8Mb9F9JWJVEV_XYcb1Vij0v.html
HI KEV .I am pushing 60 now .my father got our first tank when i was 16 years old and i am still going lol. Under gravel filter power head to top of the up lift tube or a simple corner box filter , a bit of wool and some carbon an air stone perhaps job done. the older i get the more gadgets people seem to need in the hobby .its like plug and play aquariums now days with big names making big money ,and in many cases not the same quality in many so called big brand filters .for example, why spend more money on a so called five star filter when a SUNSUN if looked after will do the same job for a quarter of the price .so same can be said for filter media in my humble opinion .the newbies do not know what way to turn except for channels giving the real world experience and from a veterans voice. Each to his own in the end if you can afford to because i am not knocking all the ceramics out there ,its the affordable hobby i am concerned with ,and the cheap options that give good results being promoted as your showing in this video.im running a SUNSUN 704B, SPONNGES,ALFAGROG heavily stocked tank ,good water movement, good water parameters 20 or lower parts nitrate.im not in search of the holy grail agenda of the big 0 being another must have or something is not wright .i happen to love doing my water changes to achieve good water quality ,fussing a round my filters and tanks getting involved ,getting my hands wet , that to me is how to get best results and the enjoyment from keeping fish the involvement i would miss it .BRILLIANT. to see a video on what can be done in the hobby if the big 0 is not of huge importance and your on a budget the way the world is today.....ANYWAY LOL..... how is the pot scrubbers going ,they are great budget media. GOD BLESS to you and your family .. cheers from IRELAND Martin.
What kind of pot scrubbers did you use i know some are no good, where did u buy tgem from? I too have a ton of biohome $$. Ill keep using it but like to use a few scrubbers. Do you think they would help if i just throw them in the media chambr in my sump? Thanks man
I’m about to do this with my marine land canister. Yes I’m running two. So I can try this. Where I have problems kev is how to properly stack the media. Carbon and filters. In what order. And since I’m only going to do scrubbers , polishing pad and filers. Two part question I guess. Is this a good idea. And how to place them in order ?
I just stumbled on your channel and I’m hooked. Thanks for all the tips, this hobby is always changing. I’ve been keeping fish since the 80’s and there’s always something new to learn. P.S Thank You for your service 🇺🇸
Thank you Sir! I appreciate the positive feedback from the veterans of the hobby! 😊💪
Hey Kev, how's the output flow? I bet it's much better without the restrictive "normal" biomedia in the FX6.
I thought that would be the case too, but it seems to not have much difference. I guess the FX6 is just powerful enough to push through anything, even that expensive stuff lol
I filled my Eheim 2260 with 154 pot scrubbers, nothing else. The flow difference is huge. I had to replace the original output hose and outtake with thicker ones. I have a video on it if you want to see.
@@KaveManAquatics I think those pads are what is retricting the flow
Could also just use lava rock, I got a 10kg bag for £9 and works wonders, next time I'll try this
Lava rocks are another great and cheap bio-media 👍
Hi Kev, great video. I am in the EU and we don’t get chemipure blue here. What else could I use ? Also I use tetra aqua safe conditioner after water changes which has a slime coat and heard it’s toxic for fishes if used along with Purigen. What else could I use? Thanks
You should be able to find just regular activated carbon. Thats whats inside chemi-pure blue along with other stuff, but the base is activated carbon.
@@KaveManAquatics thanks Kev for the quick reply!
Show us how they look before cleaning the cannister plz
Good idea, will do!!
Hi
Are you still using pot scrubbers & if so how long or have you gone back,,,,
Regards
Wayne
Do you recommend doing this for a brand new tank and filter set up?
Absolutely, Will get your tank up and running just as well as any other expensive bio-media.
I'm running a 5ft 400 litre tank with x2 fx6 filters. I'm planning on keeping one ru ming with media and carbon and the second one I'm thinking of setting it up with the pot scrubbers too? Will this allow more water flow through the filter? I'm guessing it will pick up the little bits of poo floating around too.
I've got a 60 gallon tall starting out and a marineland emperor 400 biowheel. I see alot of people referring to filter floss. Would that polish the water and be good as a filter or would I need to add another type of media? Thanks Kev
Yes you need other types of media in addition to filter floss. I highly suggest you check out my playlist for beginners. It'll be very helpful for you 😁 - czcams.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er.html
Can you do a video on proper tank circulation, I currently have my input and output on opposite sides of my 65 however I saw in one of your videos you had the input and output on same side. I have a nano power head and will be upgrading for a big one for my new 150. My concern is the fluval output not being strong enough to push water across a 6ft tank
Fx4 btw
Found your other video on just that lol
I was just about to post the link lol Glad you found it
Awesome stuff!
How often do you plan on servicing the canister now that it’s set up like this?
Im waiting for the 6 month mark to do first service and update video for you guys 😊
What chemical media did you end up going with. I have a 100 gal with a FX6 running it. I’m considering adding a fx4 so I can do the potscrubbers in that one and then when established do the FX6 next
Currently only running chemi pure blue, its awesome. Next time around though going to switch to just purigen to see if I can see any difference. So far chemi pure alone without purigen is just as good with it.
Just a suggestion but maybe for a upcoming video can we just have maybe 10mins of just watching your stunning fish swim about. Cheers
lol Thats a great idea. Maybe you would enjoy this 25 minute version 😁 - czcams.com/video/WXuNTWd5374/video.html
Let me know what you think!
What is best to use in hob tetra whisper 55gall filter? It came with a cartridge I threw out and replaced with a 3in1 sponge I got on Amazon it has 3 layers course..medium and fine all in one sponge..then I have a black course sponge that also came included with the filter.. is that for the beneficial bacteria? I also added some filter floss aka pillow stuffing from craft dept at Walmart..idk if I have these in the filter in correct order or if I should be using something else..and when it comes time to wash out the 3n1 filter will that hurt my Beneficial bacteria? I'm fairly new to all this..thanks for your help
About goldfish please
Hey I’m planning on getting 2 goldfishes and a 40Gal breeder tank what filter do you recommend? I’m kinda new to all of this
The Tidal HOB is a great filter to start with. You should also check out my playlist made for beginners, it'll be very helpful - czcams.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8NYvhUHAmwAd54WFmS4d8er.html
How often do you change the pot scrubbers? And how often do you rinse the side sponges. I know each tank is different but I’m asking about yours personally
I haven't changed the pot scrubbers at all yet but its only been about 2 months. But I also dont plan on changing them...I'll have an updated video on how well they do in about 6 months. I rinse the side sponges only during a filter cleaning which can be anywhere from 4-6 months
Hey kev, Did you mix all your substrate together?
Not sure what you mean. I only use 1 type of substrate per tank.
@@KaveManAquatics do you mix crushed coral, pink sand and pool sand together?
Hey Kev. I am about to start work on a new tank will be between 60 and 100 liters. What canister filter would you suggest. I was looking at the FX4 but think it may be over kill for that size tank.
It may be overkill now but wont be overkill later down the line when you upgrade tanks 😁 Go for it.
@@KaveManAquatics exactly what I wanted to hear 🤣. Thanks Kev
Thanks for sharing your experience. I just ordered two 30-packs of scrubbers off of Amazon. I run a 120 gallon with one Flowerhorn cichlid (there's a video or two of him on my channel), and I run an FX6 and a secondary FX4. Those two are overkill for one cichlid, but I run the two in parallel for the same reason you suggested in your video - I can REALLY clean one of them without destroying my beneficial ecology.
I got a bit spooked for a second when your test showed a slight rise in ammonia on day 2. I'm definitely not a pro, but I'd been under the impression that one should see no ammonia at all in a well-cycled tank - ever. I was quite relieved when yours quickly dropped back to zero. I'm guessing that having your tank so well-stocked was the reason for the negligible and temporary increase?
Two questions for you, please, if I might?
1. You say that you're working toward a six month filter service interval. Are you just cracking the top and replacing the polishing pads each month without worrying about the rest of the filter?
2. Any noticeable impact on Nitrates from changing to scrubbers? About 4 months back, I gradually over three water changes switched over to 100 percent RODI water, but my main source of maintenance seems to always be that I need to lower my nitrates. Changing to RODI has increased my water change interval from once per week to about every 10 days, but I'm still always surprised how quickly the nitrates rise in a large tank stocked with only one cichlid who isn't over fed.
Mind you, I do a water change when I see ANY increase in nitrates. I don't let them get over 40ppm ever, and I usually go ahead and change about 1/3 of the water when they reach 30ppm. It's just that a 1/3 water change is nearly an all day task when one is making his own RODI water. 😁
Thanks again for the excellent content. Signed - your newest subscriber.
1. Correct! Every (4-6 weeks)
2. No changes in nitrate levels, they still rise at the same rate they used to even with the expensive stuff as bio-media, so no change in my weekly water change schedule.
Nitrates shouldnt be rising that quickly with only 1 fish though. Weekly nitrates of 40PPM seems high, especially when using RODI. Is it possible that some uneaten food is getting trapped somewhere, or maybe food getting sucked into the filter. that will definitely cause a faster nitrate production.
@@KaveManAquatics Thanks for responding and clarifying. I should do the same. The max the nitrates ever have gotten is 40. I freak when I see them approaching dark orange on the API kit. Still, changing every 10 days and running rodi, I'd also expect them to be lower....especially with the one flowerhorn.
One thing I suspect, and am now confirming, may be causing them to rise more quickly than I think that they should is that I keep my tank rather close to topped odd and I have glass hoods on it. Just before a water change, which is when it's at its lowest, the water is no more than 1.25 inches from the lids. I run two powerheads, but both FX filter outputs are submerged, and I wonder if I'm not generating enough surface agitation for the nitrates to dissipate as they should.
The fish is really healthy, and I intend upon keeping him that way. As mentioned, I've got the pot scrubbers you showed here on order, and I'll be starting them in my FX4. Earlier today, I dropped the water level a little less than an inch, but I also replaced the stock Y outputs on my FX6 with vortex generators that I 3d printed from Thingiverse. The fx6 output is still slightly below the surface, but with these modded outputs on and aimed more toward the surface, I can see a world of difference in the movement and disturbance of the water surface. I'm hoping/betting that I'm going to see a much more gradual nitrate increase between now and my next change.
I'll report back, especially after I've changed over to the scrubbers. I absolutely love your channel, btw, and I appreciate that you engage with me!
Hey boss i wonder how this works AS good when excess room isnt available.... under a microscrope matix has tons of surface area. A course sponge under a microscope you cant even see a thread.. your input?
Kaveman Aquatics
Couple of questions. If I have only one FX-6 is it possible to take the media out of the FX-6 and hang it from glass and not have to keep changing it 10-20% at a time? I have one 110 & one 125. And since my tank is pretty well established do you suggest I change the media to pot scrubbers? Like you only want the best for my fish👍 Your video is telling me to do it🤷
Not sure what you mean about hanging it from glass and keep changing it. You should not be changing your bio-media. Whatever you use should always remain. Unless you specifically want to change to another type of bio media like pot scrubbers, but the premise is the same. If you do switch to pot scrubbers you dont have to keep changing it.
Hey Kev I wanted to ask you where do u get your tanks from? And what kind of tank is it Because I can’t seem to find any good tanks
These are aqueon tanks. I got them at petswarehouse.com but they dont have stores everywhere and they only ship to the store itself.
@@KaveManAquatics okay thank you so much
Aye kaveman I’m upgrading from 65 gallon tank (36*18*24) to a 150-180 gallon tank (its 6ft*2ft*2ft) for my 5 longfin Oscar’s what kind of canister filter should I get? I have Tidal 110 hang on filter that i will be puttin on it to.
Just go for the big dog bro. An FX6 with that 110 on it will keep the water crispy! 😁 If you order online I appreciate if you use my link in the shop - koji.to/kaveman_aquatics
I run two 207s could i use pot scrubies in one of those type of canisters?
you should get into sumps next
I thought about it...still considering it
Did you add pot scrubbers to both parts of the filter? I mean like how there is two parts of the baskets?
Yes, I put them in every basket. Watch the first video of the series here - czcams.com/play/PLP5OXTIIDO8MN8NdRvlfuvcNkS8GUbAdt.html
What's the consensus with them and the matrix. Know that you recently went with all matrix in one of your recent videos.
The consensus with Pot Scrubbers is that they absolutely work. 1 year with nothing but Pot scrubbers on my tank proves it. But they can't reduce nitrate levels like Matrix claims it can. Thats why Im currently running the Matrix test.
Just got another fx6 and gonna do this. Where did you put your bag of crushed coral now?
Dont need it in the filter anymore because my entire substrate is Aragonite sand. That takes care of the PH 👍
@@KaveManAquatics thanks for the reply. Looking to get something like a 180. Where do you get your tanks from?
My local petswarehouse.com but they only ship directly to their store.
@@KaveManAquatics ok ty
I have soooo many questions. First understand this is a brand new set up. Should I go right to pot scrubbers? Also I’ve been running aqua clear 110 for a week. I plan on running both fx6 and AC 110 so there is always good bacteria when I clean the fx6. 75g over stock cichlids.
Yes you can start right away with pot scrubbers, especially if you already have a seeded filter running in the tank.
Does that mean pot scrubbies have more surface area than ceramic rings and japanese mat? In my country a small bag cost only 1bnd$
No the pot scrubbers definitely do not have more surface area than the expensive bio media. However the question is: do we really need all that surface areas for the bacteria to grow?? I think this video proof that the surface area in the pot scrubbers are more than enough for the benifecial bacteria to grow. Therefore we don't need expensive bio media because we don't really need all that massive surface in them. Pot scrubbers surface is enough.
Hope you get my point. Thanks
@@omarbjn89 thanks for the clarificatiin
@@bulanugama2973 :)👍
@Abu with the perfect response 👍💪