Filter Cartridge Change?

[your1stopshop]

Hi, this is probably a stupid question, but here it is anyways.

I have 2 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank. They have been in there for about a month now. I have the kind of filter that hangs over the side, and the stuff that does the actual filtering is like a blue synthetic spongy stuff, and it has carbon in it. I got most of this stuff for free from a friend but it was all brand new a month ago. Now my question is how often do I have to change the filter cartridge, and I've heard that you should keep the stuff from the cartridge in the tank in a piece of nylon pantyhose to keep the good bacteria in there. Do I just keep the blue spongy stuff or the carbon too?

Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[WILDER]

What type of goldfish are they, as goldfish are big waste producers, and the first goldfish needs a 20gal, then 10gal for every other one added, plus you need excellents filters for the waste.
Can we take a look at your stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Not sure on the cartridges as don't know anything about those type of filters.

 

[your1stopshop]

What type of goldfish are they, as goldfish are big waste producers, and the first goldfish needs a 20gal, then 10gal for every other one added, plus you need excellents filters for the waste.
Can we take a look at your stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Not sure on the cartridges as don't know anything about those type of filters.

They are celestial goldfish, I haven't tested the water yet cause I haven't been able to afford testing kits, but I'll be getting some next week. I change the water 25% once a week and have one of those gravel vacuums which I do at water change time. I'm just wondering how often you have to change your mechanical filter medium, in general or an estimate. Its probsably more often for goldfish then tropical fish because they produce more waste but thats just a guess.

 

[WILDER]

That's why you need test kits in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, as it tells you alot, when your filter sponges might need a rinse in tank water.

 

[your1stopshop]

That's why you need test kits in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, as it tells you alot, when your filter sponges might need a rinse in tank water.

Ok but do you know how long carbon lasts? I probably don't need it in my filter, but for curiosities sake?

 

[WILDER]

4 to 6 weeks, and its a waste of money, only ever need it for removing meds.
I would stuff alot of filter floss in it's place instead, as that will help more with the goldfish being messy.

 

[your1stopshop]

4 to 6 weeks, and its a waste of money, only ever need it for removing meds.
I would stuff alot of filter floss in it's place instead, as that will help more with the goldfish being messy.

Ok, good to know. thanks