So i was reading some stuff and was curious if you guys have any tips on making the HOB more efficient. I have a peguin 330 on the back of a 20 gal. I have the bio wheels and have scrapedth store bought cartidges filled with carbon. I removed the cotton backing and bought polyfill and now put that on the plastic cartidges and hold them on with rubber bands. SO far that means mechanical and bio filtration. I dont have any chemical filtration such as carbon or anything. I did add some more gravel to the 2 trays in the back of the filter for added bio filtration but from reading that isnt correct as they have no access to air. I wonder on this though as a canister filter has no air but bio balls abd those provide the bacteria colonies totally submerged so will the gravel do the same thing.

Are there any other ways to improve filtration in any three departments with the hang on the back. Reason wondering is looking from the front i have beautiful water but from the sides i wouldnt say hazy or cloudy, just not crystal if looking from the side. Also just for noting it when my poly fil gets dirty and gunked i throw it away. Usually each week but i notice it getting dirty before the week is up. Can i change that more often or am i taking 1 step forward 2 steps back in the bio filtration in doing this?

Add a carbon filter for crystal clear water. you cant see ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates with the naked eye, so any more bio filtering would not clear your water. you can have crystal clear water and have nitrites or ammonia through the roof. sounds like your mechanical filter is also working well as you dont see particles floating around in your tank. Activated carbon is necessary for crystal clear water as you desire. heres some links to amazon.com for the things you need
Amazon.com: Marineland PA0371 Black Diamond Activated Carbon, 10-Ounce, 283-Gram: Pet Supplies
theres the carbon itself
you can just empty the carbon out of old filters and replace it or you can just buy new ones. gooluck

I have carbon but havent used it lately as i read that it may remove the certain things. Meaning i does with FLourish once a week. Will that take all the flourish out and negate the use of it. Also if i use replenish to add back minerals to the water for the fish will it remove those as well?

If not maybe i will start carbon again.

Try Purigen, I use it and it works great, I keep bag ready and change them about every 3 months, easy to recharge with bleach

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Chris
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