How To Maintain My Filter?

[Corrine]

Hi again

I have the Juwel Rio 180 with the filter that came with it (the Bioflow one). It has 2 big blue sponges in the bottom, the white stoney cartridge thingy , more blue sponge (coarse), green sponge, Black sponge, and the fine white sponge .. so lotsa sponge !

The manufacturer has a list of when you should change them all

Fine white- weekly
Black- monthly
Green- 2 monthly
Blue (Coarse)- 3 monthly
White cartridge- 12monthly
Blue sponge 1- 9monthly
Blue sponge 2- 12monthly

Does this sound about right?

Is it okay to completely change one sponge at a time?

Would this affect the bacteria in the filter enough to affect the water?

Sorry for the long-winded question.. hope it makes sense ..

Thanks again

x

 

[the_lock_man]

No.

The fine white one may need changing when it gets too clogged up, but the coarse sponges, don't change them until they are literally falling apart. Unless you own a sizeable shareholding in the manufacturer.

 

[Tizer]

Dont change any appart from the fine sponge at the top, even that can be washed out in tap water as its only there to catch the small particles of dirt in the aquarium and not hold benefical bacteria.

So appart from that one, just give them all a squeeze in tank water to get the muck out. depending on your stocking, you probbaly only have to do this once every 2 or 3 months and yes, its sometimes wise to alternate which sponges you clean vigorously.

Telling you to change them for new ones is just a cash cow. ££££

 

[Corrine]

Thanks guys .. I was starting to think i was gona have to keep a "filter changing diary" and fish out a lot of money for extra bits !!

That sounds good.. i thought it felt strange having to work hard to get lotsa benficial bacteria in your filter then change it all the time !