Changing The Filter

[MtbGirl]

Silly question... how often should we change the filter in our tank?? We clean it during water changes but I was wondering how often it actually needs to be replaced. Thanks!!

 

[Gatorbait]

What are you using?

I use sponge in my AC500 and rinse that in water from the wc once every month and a half.

The other filters I have all use filter floss. I rinse that every 2 months and replace 2-3 times a year.

 

[MtbGirl]

We have a Tetra filter, we rinse it out with each water change because of the number of fish in our tank. We've had the tank six months now, I'm thinking it might be time to replace the filter.

 

[Tolak]

You really don't need to replace the media unless it's falling apart, filter manufacturers will tell you otherwise. I have AqaClear sponges that are several years old. What make & model of filter are you running?

 

[MtbGirl]

Sorry I was so vague about the system before... I actually had to go into my son's room and look at the setup, because I couldn't remember what we had. We have a Tetra Whisper system with Bio Bag filters.

 

[Gatorbait]

The best judge is you since it matters what you feed, how much isn't eaten etc.

Just watch the water flow and if it's still not flowing like usual even after a cleaning buy more.

The only thing I do, is like Tolak mentioned, is buy new sponge for my AC every 3 years or so. It could probably last twice that but I just change it anyways.

I don't use those bags you do so am not sure. I take the cloth off them and pack filter floss around it and put a rubberband on it to hold it. I change that a couple times a year.

I don't feed small foods like brineshrimp, bloodworms or flakes so mine don't have to be changed as often as ones that do.

 

[Tolak]

Those bio-bags won't last as long as an AC sponge. I don't know what AquaClear makes those sponges out of, but they are nearly indestructable.

If and when it does need to be replaced put the old media in the tank for a week or two after adding new media to the filter. This helps to prevent any ammo or nitrite spikes.

 

[MtbGirl]

Great, thanks for the advice.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah we only change them when they're literally falling apart, i've sponges a few years old too.

i;d say when you change over take out half the media from the old filter and replace it with new, then about a month later replace the other half with new. then it shouldn;t cycle