How often to change/clean filters??

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Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 13, 2012
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Fresno CA
I am running a penguin 350 filter system for my tank, it has slots for me to put 4 filters into it. How often should i clean or change these filters out? I am wondering if the best way to do it is to change/clean two at a time and leave the other two in there.

Also would running it under the sink or garden hose be ok to do since i still have two other filters in there during the process to keep good bacteria?

thanks
 
I would use 2 cartridges in the front slots and stuff the rear with filter floss. Your stock will determine how long the floss will last, I usually get 2 weeks. When I had an emperor 400 I used this method and it kept the cartiges pretty clean so I cleaned the catridges monthly by rinsing under the kitchen sprayer, most will say to rinse in tank water but I used this method for several years with no adverse affects.
 
If you siphon water during a water change, you can rinse the cartridges under the flow from the tank each time you make a water change. Your bacteria won't be affected this way, and you may be tempted to clean them more often.
 
I always have filters that are over kill I'm the tanks and clean everything every two weeks. Unless I decide to do it weekly or just have free time avail. Depends on feeding and everything and if the tank needs cleaning. Never more than two weeks.

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Only when they look worn, I think I was changing them once or twice per year. The carbon will lose its effectiveness in about a month but it isn't necessary, if they aren't falling apart they're still good.
 
I have 2 emp 400's and a cascade 1000 and I changed and cleaned them 2 times last year and never had water issues at all. Really depends on the fish and amount you have and some other things too.

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If the penguin filter do u guys think it's better to run 4 filters like I am now or I have two slider tray things from my old penguin filter that I can use? They look like filter side trays
 
Run 4 cartridges. As for replacing the cartridges, I replace them when the blue padding in the cartridge starts falling apart. Just slit the top and bottom of the cartridge and dump the carbon out and fill with floss.


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