Filter media turned brown?

[Guppylover3x]

Wondering why my filter media has turned brown? The original colour was white, it’s a small sponge. Filter is suitable for up to 45 litres and the tanks 38.I don’t want to change it as the tanks only been set up 4-5 weeks. Any advice is appreciated, thank you.

 

[Colin_T]

All filter media changes colour due to fish waste, bacteria and chemicals. There's no need to change sponges unless they start to fall apart.

When the filter has cycled, wait 2 more weeks and then clean it at least once a month, and preferably every 2 weeks. Get a bucket of tank water and squeeze the filter media out in the bucket of tank water. When it's clean, put the media in the tank. Wash the filter case and impellor under tap water. Tip the tap water out of the filter case and reassemble the filter. Add media and get it running again.

 

[Guppylover3x]

Many thanks for the information and advice

 

[AbbeysDad]

Yes, as Colin points out, bright white spanking new sponges will stain brown from detritus resulting form decaying waste. Other than appearance, it's not an issue for sponges.
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However, It can be an issue for ceramic, pumice stone, and some other types of bio-medias as the coating reduces the surface areas of those medias, reducing their effectiveness. This is why manufacturers recommend replacing half the media every other month or so. They'd like us to buy more, but these medias can be reclaimed and reused.