Changing The Filter

[bailey0789]

The manual says like once a month. I was told at the pet store it doesnt need to be changed anywhere near that often. That bacteria are established and you just need to rinse it off.

oh yeah, im wondering because i just vacuumed the gravel for the first time and stirred up all kind of junk. A couple days later I realized that the horrible smell in my room was probly all that crap in the filter. So I rinsed the filter off in some of the tank water in a small container.

 

[Shelby]

You did right. You should not replace your filter media until it is literally falling apart. Not sure what type of filter you are running? If you are running a Hang on Back filter with the replaceable cartridges (like a whisper filter) you can cut open the new cartridge and place the old inside of it. If you replace the whole cartridge you will lose all the bacteria and start the whole cycle over again. Sometimes you have room that you can put a new cartridge in front of the old one to seed it.

Knowing what type of filter you are running would help

 

[bailey0789]

yeah, its a hang on back. Good info, thanks!

 

[MHunt]

I've never replaced my filter media, just rinse the dirt off with old tank water and you're good to go.

 

[Shelby]

After x amount of months or years the floss stuff tends to start falling apart. I use Aquaclear filters that are sponges and I've had them going for almost a year without ever changing them. Just rinsing them out. Good luck!

 

[MHunt]

OK, i replace filter floss (i use the contents of an old pillow) when it gets clogged with dirt. But I've never had to replace any sponges.