Changing Tank Filters?

[craigybaby37]

just a quick question ide like answering if possible. i am qurious about when i should change the filters in my fish tank. i have a jewel record 60 tank and it has a 4 diff typres of pads that the water is filtered through ( thin white one,black carbon filter a green and a blue one) i have had the tank for about 4 and a half months and have not replaced the filter i have only cleaned them when doing my water changes every 4 weeks??

thanks

 

[rdd1952]

Filter manufacturers tell you that so you will buy more filter pads. In actuality, you should only change filter pads/cartridges when they become so worn that they no long perform their function. With sponges, that will take a very long time. With the filter packs, it happens every few months depending on other factors. Simply rinse then in old tank water after a water change or in a bucket of dechlorinated water. When you do need to change the pack, empty the media from inside into the new pack so that you are keeping most of your beneficial bacteria.

 

[JackoUK]

I tend to change my filter pads as rdd1952 said, when necessary. Although I change my carbon filter every 3 weeks to a month as the effect of carbon only lasts so long.

 

[rdd1952]

I don't use carbon for that very reason. Although it can act as a biological filter, it is primarily a chemical filter.

 

[Matty P]

When cleaning filter media don't clean all pads at once leave one or 2 in so that you still have lots of beneficial bacteria, then next time you clean the pads leave the ones you cleaned the last time in and clean the other ones this time.

Matt

 

[craigybaby37]

so is carbon good or bad for a tank then and what kind of effects does it have on the tank if being used or not being used???

 

[Matty P]

Carbon filter pads take chemicals out of the water. e.g. medications.

 

[craigybaby37]

o rite i see so when and if treating for fit rot or white spot or anything along them lines its best to remove the carbon sponge??

 

[Matty P]

Yeh, then put it back in after the fish are cured to absorb any medication left over.

 

[craigybaby37]

handy piece of info to know that. thanks

 

[rdd1952]

I think you will find that the majority of experienced members don't use carbon at all. After a short time (have read one article that said as little as 24 hours) it is fully saturated and isn't taking anything from the water any more. It is basically a chemical filter used, as mentioned, to remove medications after treatment is complete.

 

[Matty P]

Hope we helped ya out craigybaby37

 

[vinylman]

Actually you can get certain medications that don't damage the filter bacteria (such as Protozin), so you might not need to use carbon to remove them, whatever remains will just be diluted by water changes.