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Are internal filters any good? I have a Fluval 2+ for my 10 gallon tank. there still seems to be a little bit of debris in the tank. I really can't tell if the water is slightly cloudy or if its just hte tank reflection. When do you usually change these filters? Do you clean the foam pad or replace it with another one?

I have a tetra internal reptofilter (I am pretty sure it is just a gimmick since it looks just like their whisper series). It isn't bad and I just rinse the sponge thing out once in a while and the cartridge a few times before replacing the cartridge. There will always be debris so you will need a siphon to suck them up, regardless of filter.

i was actually running a fluval 4+ in my 10 gallon. it keeps the water as clear as can be. but you should clean it once a week cus if you dont the water might look greenish.
i just rinse my foam out in the tub then swish it around in a gallon or so of tank water to get the bacteria back in there so i dont have a big bloom.

Internal filters, especially the ones made for smaller tanks, basically push the water around for circulation. I used a Fluval 2+ with hatchlings. I cleaned the filter weekly. The sponges (foam pads?) I rinsed in tank water and reused until they turned really brown (and had a discerable smell) and then replaced them.

how do you make the charcoal pads? do you just literally buy charcoal and a filter bag and just stick it in the fluval filter?

You can go to the pet store and get what they call "carbon," which is just small bits of charcoal. I wouldn't buy charcoal that is made for like the grill though, I don't know if they add anything to make it last, or burn longer, that might leach into the water. So I would just stick with the stuff made for aquariums.