How Often Do You Change Filter Media?

[stoneagedinosaur]

I have an Aqua One tank with the good old A1 up and over filter system with two media trays. The carbon / fluffy filter section is getting nice and mucky and is obviously loaded with stuff for the bacteria... question is - when should it be changed?

The whole filter tray gets a good wash in tank water every water change (carbon with fluffy bits, foamy bit and ceramic pasta shapes) but does it really need replacing? The manufacturers recommend something like once a month (well they would wouldn't they!) but how do you know if it NEEDS changing?

Do both sections ever need changing at the same time and how long does it take to get bacteria into a new filter media?

So many questions...

 

[mr130gallon]

activated carbon needs to be changed every ____ weeks for it to do anything, but the other stuff needs to be replaced when it "melts away"

 

[fatheadminnow]

The mechanical filtration, and the biological filtration should only be replaced if they are falling apart. You should add that as an option, "only replace if the filter media is falling apart." Ideally the biological filtration will never fall apart, as this usually consist of ceramics and other hard material that will not really break down.

Other than that, carbon needs to be replaced about every 3 days. After 3 days, the activated carbon is all used up and will not function like it should. So, if you want o keep carbon in your tank, and you want to keep it working, then the carbon should be replaced every 3 days. This is why me, and many other members on here, do not run carbon in our filter. Instead, I just have some carbon on hand and will use it in case of an emergency.

-FHM

 

[onebto]

Yep only when it is completely knackered

 

[mattlee]

1 of my tanks is an aquaone ar620 and the only thing i have changed is the floss when it gets too manky like any filter but the ceramic rings and sponges will last a very long time unless abused in some sort of way..... cant think of a way but im sure there is one

 

[bitteraspects]

actually, activated carbon is only "activated" for 5-7 days. after that its just collecting nitrates for your tank
if you are not removing meds from your tank, you do not need the carbon at all. just remove it and throw it away.

im not familiar with your specific set up, but generally speaking, yout mechanical filter needs to be cleaned or replaced with each WC depending on your filter. while your biological media (bio balls, ceramic rings, etc) never need to be removed or replaced. if your mechanical media isnt working properly, or you are getting bypass, you may need to clean your biological media more often, but you only need to rinse it in tank water and put it back, never replace it with new media.

 

[fatheadminnow]

actually, activated carbon is only "activated" for 5-7 days. after that its just collecting nitrates for your tank
if you are not removing meds from your tank, you do not need the carbon at all. just remove it and throw it away.

im not familiar with your specific set up, but generally speaking, yout mechanical filter needs to be cleaned or replaced with each WC depending on your filter. while your biological media (bio balls, ceramic rings, etc) never need to be removed or replaced. if your mechanical media isnt working properly, or you are getting bypass, you may need to clean your biological media more often, but you only need to rinse it in tank water and put it back, never replace it with new media.

I was always told it was about 3 days from other experienced members on here.

And I don't see how it collect nitrates when it is all used up? The carbon adsorbs elements from the tank water, not absorbs. So, this means once it is all used up, meaning there is no more surface area for anything to "stick" to (this is what adsorb means), then there is no way that nitrates can collect on the carbon.

Unless I am mistaken, about the nitrate part, at which point I like to hear about how this is possible. (This is not sarcasm! Just me wondering about something! )

-FHM

 

[OldMan47]

Carbon adsorbs organic materials to its adsorption sites and then stops working completely, except as just another surface where bacteria can grow. The time involved is generally short because your tank is alive with organics. The actual time will depend a lot on what is present in the water, but it will never be a month like some filter manufacturers would have you believe. Whether it is 3 days or a week really doesn't matter. When you need to use it you put it in the filter and its job is generally done fairly quickly.

 

[shelaghfishface]

i never have yet!
only the floss/wool gets changed weekly ( if i have a need to use any) but never the sponges etc... spose if they were really falling apart then i would but not untill then...just rinse them in dirty water from a water changes and bobs ur uncle

i dont use carbon unless im treating with meds,, but been a while since i had to.. but after a few days the carbon/pads are useless..