Filter Media

[flip]

i have a tetra filter that takes 2 cartridges. every week i rinse then in tank water when i do my water change. today i saw they were starting to fall apart where the plastic thing in the middle of them is so i put the old bags inside of the new ones and put them in the filter. is that going to be alright? these are the exact cartridges i have. http/www.petco.com/product/13867/Tetra-Whisper-Bio-Bag-Disposable-Filter-Cartridges.aspx thank you!

 

[bitteraspects]

the water is going to flow around it more than through it. its best to replace the filters as recommended by the manufacturer (i think its every 2 weeks. im not sure off hand. it should say on the box).

your best bet is to replace your tetra filter with an AquaClear HOB. these filters are similar to the one you have (HOB style filter), however, they dont use filter cartridges, so you dont have to keep spending money on replacements. it uses a sponge that just gets rinsed out.
its a little more expensive than the tetra filter, but you end up saving a lot of money on replacement filters.

 

[flip]

due to finances i cant replace the filter as of anytime soon and if i replace them as often as they say to then i'd be getting rid of all the bacteria right?

 

[snowflake311]

I have a small tetra filter I don't use those stupid filters. It is just a back up filter but I cut a sponge from my aquaclear to fit and put it in the filter I add a few of thoes bio rocks to the bottom.

He's changing the filter will mess up your bacteira Keep an eye on it you should have enough bacteira in and around the tank so it will establish quickly. Just keep an eye on you water stats you might have a mini cycle.

 

[erk628]

What size tank do you have?

 

[flip]

its a 20 gallon and i did put all the media i had in the bags. it was fully cycled with the biobags that were in there so i stuffed them into the new ones so as not to lose the bacteria.