Filter System

[Jessica's mum]

Hi
We have just bought our daughter her first tropical tank, a Juwel Rekord 96.

Do we need to replace the filter sponges at regular intervals or just clean them when we do a water change?
There are 4 coloured plastic looking sponges and a white wool pre filter. We understand changing the wool pre filter as it will break up in the water.
We are currently cycling the tank. Once we have established the tank if we change the filters would this not be throwing the bacteria away?

Also do we need to buy a test kit and if so which type?

Thanks for your help and advice we are looking forward to our new hobby.
Jessica's family.

 

[WILDER]

Don't need to replace the sponges only when there breaking and rotting away.
You don't need to touch the filter sponges far at least six months.
Usually go by your water stats.
Only clean the filter pad the white one once a week, just rinse it in old tank water.
The green nitrate sponge and black carbon need changing every six weeks.
Don't use them to expensive, only need the black carbon for removing meds.
The nitrate green sponge not even proven they work.
Yes a liquid test kit of your own is a must to be honest.

 

[DarkSoul]

I suggest the red sea FRESH lab kit deluxe.

You can uisually find them decently priced on ebay, or marinedepot.com has them resonably priced i believe.

 

[bymauldin]

I use the API Master Test Kit and I think it's great. I've had no problems with it at all. I much prefer it to the individual test strips. Definitely get a Master Test Kit of some sort.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Yup we like the API kit as well, a test kit is an absolute must. and your quite right if you replace teh sponges you loose your bacteria so only do it when strictly nescessary. The manufacturers saying they need changing every month is just a con to get more money out of you.

for filter maintenance just keep an eye on the flow rate from your filter, when it drops there's a blockage and you need to clean out your filter media. only replace them when they're literally falling apart

 

[Jessica's mum]

Thank you for your advice
I'll order a test kit today.

Hope to be able to buy our first fish in the next few days now
Kath