Filter Cartridges

[titusmighty]

How often do I need to change my filter cartridges? I know that the company (both millenium and tetra) suggests once a month, but I'm finding that if I just clean the cartridge when I do a water change (in the water I'm pulling out of the aquarium, of course), filter flow is good again and all is well with the world.

Also, I have an aquaclear that doesn't take cartridge, it's just a sponge and activated carbon and a little baggy filled with things. How often does the carbon need to be replaced? Again, I find if I rinse out the sponge, water flow resumes normally.

Thanks very much.

niki

 

[Tolak]

You don't need to replace filter cartridges until they are literally falling apart. What you are doing is what most people do, rinse in old tank or other dechlorinated water. Filter companies would love to sell you new media monthly, this is totally unnecessary.

When I was running hob filters on most of my tanks I had mainly AC's. Those sponges last for several years, I had the bio media in the bag running for a few years with no replacement needed. Carbon is really not needed unless you are removing meds or other chemicals. Save it for if & when you need it, or you will be replacing it weekly for it to have any real effect.