How Often Should External Filters Be Changed?

[lowee]

As the question says, i have a heavily planted 180 litre tank with a fluval 205 filter. How often should i clean it out?

Thanks

 

[vinylman]

Assuming you're not overstocked, I'd leave it for two months before you have a look at your filter. You'll be surprised how little maintenance they need. Keep an eye on the return flow pipe back into the tank; if you notice it's not as powerful, then give your filter media a quick swish in old tank water, that's all that's needed. BTW, if you have a bag of carbon or a carbon sponge in there, take it out and replace it with another filter sponge. I've had an external filter for three months, and I've rinsed the sponges once, a couple of weeks ago - it was hardly worth it. As I said, just keep an eye on the return flow, that's the best indicator.

 

[lowee]

Ok, i have been using carbon and will be as the tank has only been running for a couple of weeks. The problems is that fluval only sell the large parts of sponge, not the smaller ones that fit into the compartment. Would more filter media be ok?

 

[The-Wolf]

forget the carbon, it is only usefull for the first week of a new canisters life (takes out all the factory residues)
after that I only use carbon after any medication course.

personally I would n't have a fluval if you paid me, but don't let that stop you.
my eheims and tetratec filters havn't been cleaned (apart from changing floss) for 4
months and not due to be cleaned for another couple of months.