How Often Should I Change My Spounges Realisticly?

[James9114]

hi there i have a 110 litre juwel rekord aquarium with an internal corner filter and was wondering how often i should change realisticly all the spounges and citrax(if thats how u spell it) in the filter and how many is it possible to change at once without affecting the biological matter. Thanks James

 

[Athena]

The filter sponges last a very long time - so long as you give them a bit of a sloosh to remove heavy amounts of debris build-up (you'll notice when this needs doing as the filter flow of water will reduce dramatically) - about once a month during a water change - but sloosh it in some of the removed tank water, not fresh tap water. And don't be over-zealous with the cleaning of the sponge (i.e. no need to rinse and ring it out like you would a washing up sponge LOL ).

If you notice that your sponges are reaching that stage of being so old that they may disintegrate - you can change just one of them at a time. I have the same filter as yours - some filters only have one sponge in them and in those cases I would chop both the old and new sponge in half and have half-old/half-new sponge in the filter, wait until the new sponge has a good build up of media then change the remaining old half for another new half.

So, in your situation, I'd change one sponge (only when it realy needs it) then wait a month or so before changing another of them, in order to give plenty of time for the filter bacteria to build up on the new sponge. Never change them all at the same time or you will lose all your good filter bacteria.

Regards, Athena

 

[james_fish]

For the sponges, don't listen to the manufacturer, its just for you to cough up every month.

Some of my sponges are recommended to be change every 4-6 weeks. I've had the same in for 10 months and don't intend to change it any time soon. I think the best time to change it is when it does not spring back into its original shape.

James.

 

[James9114]

The filter sponges last a very long time - so long as you give them a bit of a sloosh to remove heavy amounts of debris build-up (you'll notice when this needs doing as the filter flow of water will reduce dramatically) - about once a month during a water change - but sloosh it in some of the removed tank water, not fresh tap water. And don't be over-zealous with the cleaning of the sponge (i.e. no need to rinse and ring it out like you would a washing up sponge LOL ).

If you notice that your sponges are reaching that stage of being so old that they may disintegrate - you can change just one of them at a time. I have the same filter as yours - some filters only have one sponge in them and in those cases I would chop both the old and new sponge in half and have half-old/half-new sponge in the filter, wait until the new sponge has a good build up of media then change the remaining old half for another new half.

So, in your situation, I'd change one sponge (only when it realy needs it) then wait a month or so before changing another of them, in order to give plenty of time for the filter bacteria to build up on the new sponge. Never change them all at the same time or you will lose all your good filter bacteria.

Regards, Athena

ok thanks for your time

For the sponges, don't listen to the manufacturer, its just for you to cough up every month.

Some of my sponges are recommended to be change every 4-6 weeks. I've had the same in for 10 months and don't intend to change it any time soon. I think the best time to change it is when it does not spring back into its original shape.

James.

hi there thanks for your time to reply, was also wondering what bout the main white thin spounge that collects main debre that ses should be changed every week? and the black carbon media spounge which ses should be changed every month? is that correct or can i leave them in longer?

 

[james_fish]

It will differ from sponge to sponge, filter to filter. But all's you need to do is maintain it by literally washing the dirt out of it in old tank water, which works well when you do your weekly/fortnightly water change.

James.

 

[toshapetriji]

I would agree with the posts above. I have sponges in my filter which are 3 years old and I have no plans to change them anytime soon.

 

[fluttermoth]

If you're using the carbon sponges to remove tannins from the water, you may need to change them every couple of months.

As for other sponges; I've got ones that I've been using at least 10 years. They do eventually stop springing back into shape, but I've found they can be revived by washing under a very hot tap.

You will, of course, lose your filter bacteria but it saves money on buying new sponges, and you'd lose the bacteria anyway if you were replacing them.

Yes, yes, I am mean

 

[Athena]

Just to add that you don't really need the black carbon sponge in the filter the whole time, that's usually put in when you need to clear the tank of any medications.

The two other thick sponges are the main filter sponges and these are the ones that should remain in there and will last years. That thin felt-type piece that sits on the top can be changed once in a while as it's made of different stuff to the other sponges and doesn't last as long. But as it is so thin it won't affect anything by removing it and swapping for a new one. But still, once a week is totally unnecessary - they can last at least 2 - 3 months before needing a new one, depending on how messy your fish are.

The thing I didn't like about this filter unit was having the thermostat inside that box and not being able to see if it's actually working or not. I've since taken mine out of that unit and fixed it to the glass instead, so that I can tell if it's switching itself on and off.

Regards - Athena

 

[OldMan47]

My oldest filter is a canister type that uses sponges as the first cleaning stage. Unlike the advice others have given, I rinse them out quite well in tank water whenever I am cleaning the filter. I have had that filter for about 7 years now but I cannot say how long the sponges will last until one of them needs to be replaced. So far they look almost like new when I get done cleaning them. I can't tell if they are stained with bio-films because they are black colored. I took this picture of them a few months ago during a routine filter cleaning.

 

[AlanTh]

I don't want to take this OT.

How often do I have to change my gravel? Does it eventually wear out?

 

[SlyPolak]

I don't want to take this OT.

How often do I have to change my gravel? Does it eventually wear out?

???

wear out?

unless you are speaking of the "gravel" that seachem and such companies provide with nutes.... then.. never.... unless it gets so dirty you have to boil but then you will lose all the bacteria (which shouldnt be much anyways)

Thats why I always go with dark gravel......