Where Exactly Is The Bacteria Growth At?

[schooly20]

So I know all about the good bacteria and all, but I was wondering about my filter and most HOB filters, does the good bacteria grow on the replaceable filter cartridges or does most of it grow on the bio-wheels?? I ask this question because it is recommended to change the cartridges out about ever 2 weeks and it worries me that I'll lose the bacteria and my tank will begin to cycle again.

 

[ALEXF]

So I know all about the good bacteria and all, but I was wondering about my filter and most HOB filters, does the good bacteria grow on the replaceable filter cartridges or does most of it grow on the bio-wheels?? I ask this question because it is recommended to change the cartridges out about ever 2 weeks and it worries me that I'll lose the bacteria and my tank will begin to cycle again.

The Cartiages you speak of are the carbon ones correct? If they are and im pretty sure they are i would chuck them. Marineland makes refillable media cartiages for the bigger filters (yours included) and you can load them up with just fliter floss(i bought enough for 2 for 6 bucks) then you just rinse the cartiages in tank water when they get clogged and you rarely (wait until they are falling apart) have to replace them. The only thing carbon is good for is removing meds from the tank. or removing smells (which you wont have if you do regualr water changes) from the tank. Now for your actual question. From my understanding the bacteria is on both, but mostly on the bio wheels. So you shouldnt have to worry about it to much. The replacing cartiages is just to get you to keep spending money. I hope this helps.

 

[Tolak]

Slit the cartridge, dump out the carbon. No need to replace it now, just rinse it in old tank or other dechlorinated water. It will last much longer than two weeks.

I would say it is 50/50 between the bio wheel & the cartridge. Those wheels are prone to stopping, if a majority of the bacteria was on the wheels there would be major problems when this happens.

 

[ALEXF]

Slit the cartridge, dump out the carbon. No need to replace it now, just rinse it in old tank or other dechlorinated water. It will last much longer than two weeks.

thats actually what i did for my tank today. I was just trying to give them a long term suggestion. do they really stop often? i was told that so long as you rinsed it in tank water like once a month it should be ok.