How Often Do You Change Your Filter Media

[tha pint]

Mine been running for over a year and it's just dawned on me I might need to change the sponges or bio rings. I've read some people change alternatively the sponges then the bio stuff every 6 too 8 months then ive read some people only change the floss. I change the floss every time I clean the filter , every month or so. Do sponges and bio rings have a use life even if they are cleaned with tank water?

Lately I've suffered the tank getting brown and green and my nitrates are doing my head in trying to get them to stay low. Even after large weekly water changes so I'm just wondering is it time to change the media?

 

[Mothi]

I never change my biological media and only ever get rid of sponge if it has completely fallen apart. If you aren't getting any ammonia and nitrite readings then your biologial media is doing it's job so I don't see why you need to change it. Maybe check your tap water for nitrate? You can also use some live plants to help with nitrate.

 

[RRaquariums]

Same here I've never changes my ceramic media and it's been in use for 3 years now as for sponges like Mothi said only if it's fallen apart.
I'm not sure what is causing your algae but I don't think it's the age of the media.

 

[Lillefishy]

Never, you only need to change sponges if they're falling apart & that could take many years

 

[DrRob]

I have filter media that's about 20 years old, it's working fine.

 

[fluttermoth]

I have filter media that's about 20 years old, it's working fine.

Me too; I have sponges that have been in (almost) constant use for well over 20 years; probably nearer 25, and they're still fine.

 

[BenVernon]

What about the carbon?

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, carbon and filter floss do need changing at regular intervals.

Carbon, if you use it (and most set ups don't need it; running carbon permanently has been implicated as a potential partial cause of HITH, for example) needs replacing after 4 or 6 weeks.

Floss, as soon as it starts going 'clumpy'; how long that is depends on the type and thickness of the floss, the type of filter and the bioload of the tank.

Oh, should have said; You do have to watch out whhen replacing carbon, as it makes a good home for bacteria, so you can lose some good bacteria, if you have a lot of carbon and replace too much at once.

Floss makes a very poor home for bacteria, and normally only makes up a very small proportion of the total media volume, so that's not a problem.