Bit Of A Conundrum

[KrystaK]

I've been having trouble keeping my Ammonia in check, I've had a new filter pad in for 2 weeks so I'm assuming I'm going through a new cycle because of this. But the last filter pad I took out had been there for 2 months, when i took it out it was filthy and I felt bad for leaving it in there for so long, but I feel my fish are struggling more now than they were with the old disgusting pad.
Has anyone worked out a system of changing pads so they don't get totally gross but so that they don't start a new cycle? (I did leave some old media behind but I guess it cant keep up...)

 

[cynic]

Stop using the pads, its just companies wanting you to spend.

If at all possible gut one of the pads or squeze some filter sponge in there. Then when it comes to cleaning time just rince the worst off in some old tank water, job done.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Stop using the pads, its just companies wanting you to spend.

If at all possible gut one of the pads or squeze some filter sponge in there. Then when it comes to cleaning time just rince the worst off in some old tank water, job done.

+1

You will have to replace your pads occasionally but only when you see a significantly lower output of water after rinsing and squeezing them out in old tank water or they're falling apart like mine

Can't remember the last time I changed my media. They should last a LONG time before having to replace them provided they have a good flow over water over them to feed it oxygen.

 

[KISSfn]

I would not replace a filter pad unless it was literally falling apart. My filter pads have been in 13 months and they're staying in. When you threw out your filthy pad you threw out most of your needed good bacteria. I would swish the old filter pad in a container of tank water and put it right back in the filter, saving the bacteria. You're probably going through a new cycle now. Test your water twice a day and do water changes as required to keep ammonia as close to 0 as possible.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

A good squeeze of a filter pad in removed tank water will remove most of the mulm, detritus etc. and thepad is then good to go again. It is suggested that you don't do this on all filter pads for one tank in one go, just in case you loosen a lot of bacteria colony and then get spikes for the following week or so.

 

[KrystaK]

Okay I didn't know filter pads could go so long, I figured the activated carbon stopped working after a while and that was why it had to be replaced, thanks