Changing Filter Media?

[finchfarm]

I have an AquaClear Power filter that I've had for a few months now. I've been reading up on websites on the average amount of time that goes by before people change certain parts of their filter. That way, I can build up my own "tradition" of when to change out different parts of the filter, based on what I've read on other sites. AquaClears, if you don't know, have three filter components: Ammonia Remover, Carbon and Foam.

I've decided to replace the carbon every thee months and the foam once a year so I don't destroy my entire bacterial colony. I've had the filter for about two and a half months now, and am nearing my first change of the carbon. But my problem comes in that.....I can't seem to find anywhere that says how often you shold change the "ammonia remover" in the filter. I would think it would need to be done fairly often (ie every few months), but I really don't know. Any ideas on how often I need to change out the ammonia remover part of the filter?

 

[Tolak]

Aqua Clear filters are one of the best hob power filters out there, I used to run a couple dozen of them before I converted to a centralized system.

That being said,the carbon is effective for a week, maybe two max, then all it acts as is another place for nitrifying bacteria to grow. The only time I ran carbon was with a brand new tank, or to remove meds. The ammonia remover is useless, I never ran it, as your nitrifying bacteria will remove ammonia.

The sponges last for years, my longest running sponge had been running for 7 years. You just need to rinse them in old tank or other dechlorinated water to clean them. The biomax media will hold plenty of nitrifying bacteria, as any pourous ceramic media will. I ran mine with either a sponge & floss for mechanical filtration, or a sponge & biomax for bio filtration. You can double up on the sponges when you remove the carbon or ammo remover, and you actually are better off doing so, as you then have more mechanical & bio filtration.