ceramic rings questions???

[mr_stallion1]

I have an Aqua Clear 500 filter and I have just bought 1kg of ceramic rings to use. I am going to put the ceramic rings under the sponge ( I think that is right).

Do you have to rinse the rings before you use them the first time???
How often do you need to clean the rings and how long do they last??
 :?:

[GoFast]

It's worthwhile rinsing them before you put them in your filter. As far as washing them in the future - you only need to give them a rinse as cleaning them will kill off alot of the bacteria which you need to have for the filter to work.

[here fishie fishie]

I have never cleaned my noodle's, its been 2 years now. As long as the water can still pass through them.
I empty the gunk out of the bottom ever now & then.

Frenchy :D

[GTR73]

Yep, definitely give them a rinse from the packet.  
Nope, don't worry about washing the noodle rings when you do go to clean your filter.
And remember not to clean your filter with tap water, especially the noodle rings, as the chlorine in tap water will kill your bacterial colonies quick smart.
BTW the noodle rings in my filters is the course ceramic stuff and I reckon it's particularly ideal for externals. They do a great job for my filtration, once those colonies were established.

[mile]

I'm just curious how good those ceramic rings are when it comes to biological filtration...

Do they have much surface area for the bacteria to form? I thought they we only good as a prefilter/mechanical filter???

Is sinthered glass or clay better????

Can anyone add some good advice on this subject please!!!

mile