Filter cartridge replacement?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
G

girl_interrupted

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 14, 2009
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Ok, so I was reading the filter sticky but I still didn't find an answer to my question. My thing is, I set up my tank with fish and all about a month ago. Now... I have no idea how often I'm supposed to change the filter cartridge? The white sponge with carbon in it. Yes I'm new, sue me ;) Jk. Somewhere I heard every month. I read around someone changed it after 4 months. I have a topfin 20 filter for my 25gallon. These would be the filters I'd replace with, I'm guessing:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752204

But what exactly gets changed?? Because I've also seen boxes of carbon available. So does the white spongy part of the filter get changed only? Or both the white part and the the carbon inside all together, or only the carbon? And how often?

Help! I don't want to make a mistake! Thanks and sorry hehe :D
 
prob best thing to do is just clean the filter in some tank water in bowl so that bacteria that you need survives, If you want to replace filter do half one week half a week later so that bacteria is still present . I tend to overfilter tanks with at least 2 so i can replace one and other still good . do you water change 20% every couple of weeks if so that can keep filter pads clean longer , stop them clogging
 
The filter manufacturers want you to throw away the "old cartridge" and purchase / put in a "new cartridge" every 1~4 weeks, depending on which one you ask...

Many hobbyists have learned we can save a ton of money on "new cartridges" by dismantling our old ones and simply replacing the the media and recycling the frame.

Most people will turn off the filter, remove the cartridge, clean the cartridge, replace the cartdige and turn on the filter... a few times before rebuilding/replacing the cartridge...

Many people will swoosh the cartridge around in water removed from the aquarium during a water change to clean it. This will protect the bacteria that is in/on the cartridge keeping it in your system.

Personally, I accept the notion that bacteria grows on surfaces throughout the system, not just on filter media, and I thoroughly wash my sponges/cartridges in hot tap water to maximize how thoroughly I clean them. In a new tank / set up I am much more cautious with bacteria than I am a mature set up...

I feel that cleaning the physical waste out of the cartridge often is beneficial. Physical waste will break down into pollutants and removing them from the system as early as possible in this process minimizes pollutants in the water. Therefore I think washing the cartridge weekly is a good idea... but replacing them weekly would be an unnecessary expense...
 
you'll notice when the water starts to flow around or over the filter or flow has slowed down it's time to change. if it will fit try to put one or two pot scrubbies behind the filter or a green scotchbrite no scratch pad if scrubbies won't fit and leave them in there all the time that way when you replace the filter you retain your bacteria.
 
justpgraham;3403332; said:
Hey your Jack Dempsy ! i should be asking you advice lol
Click to expand...

I ask alot and chat a lot. Post count doesnt mean experience tho :cry:lol

Thanks for the heads up. So if I have two filter media in the filter at a time thts not bad?
 
so i can insert scrubbies in with the filter media? N does this mean i never have to replace the media? I can just wash it? Since it has beneficial bacteria?

Crap I just changed to redbelly piranha, justpgrahm lol
 
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