Do I need to change Biological Media?

[JEAE21]

Since I thought someone told me to but then yesterday the guy at a fish store told me not to and this acrticle from drsfotersmith said not to..
Does this go to ALL biological media (ceramic, biomate balls, the floss in whisper filters)
Also, I don't have any air pumps in my tank, but would the bacteria be able to live on the filter media?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=0&siteid=6&acatid=419&aid=1154#answer_3

 

[toehead11183]

NEVER change it

 

[JoelR]

NEVER change it

that does not apply to the floss in a whisper. Those pads are mechanical & chemical (with carbon added),, not designed for bio. They get dirty & after rinsing them several times, they start to break down (separate) and need to be replaced.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I rinse sponges, toss filter floss & rinse biological filter media way less than the sponges.

 

[JEAE21]

that does not apply to the floss in a whisper. Those pads are mechanical & chemical (with carbon added),, not designed for bio. They get dirty & after rinsing them several times, they start to break down (separate) and need to be replaced.

haha sorry for the mis-type..i was talking about the bio-foam..the black flossy one. do i change those?
and I am thinking of taking out the cartridge you're talking about(mechanical/chemical) but would the biological pad work without them?

and on the bio-wheel, it said while cleaning the filter, let the wheel float around in aquarium water so it doesn't dry out..what would happen if it dries out?

should I get a air pump too? or is my biological filter working well without it?

 

[Mystix212]

If your bio-wheel dries out, everything dies on it. Same goes for and media. Then your tank practicly re-cycles.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Although, if you have plenty of substrate there is less of a chance of a recycle, as there is lots of good bacteria living in there.

 

[JEAE21]

oh too bad then..mines barebottom.

mystix; oh it just restarts..i was thinking that I have to go buy another media again, haha

 

[Pufferpunk]

oh too bad then..mines barebottom.

Not natural for a turtle.

 

[JEAE21]

it's just that gravel seems too hard to clean..