Emmy

Hi,

I have a 20gallon freshwater tank, stable parameters with a full bio-load... guppies, corys, neons & a ghost shrimp, sand bottom & lots of low-light live plants. Everything is running fairly smoothly, with the exception of the odd mishap e.g. one of my jumbo corys going missing one day never to return, just gone like he never existed... very strange. Anyway, my question is regarding my filter.

My tank is 8mos old, I have a Penguin BioWheel, one of those 3stage filtration systems. The wheel spins normally and the filter isn't filthy but somewhat dark. I've never changed it or even cleaned it. Should I? I've read conflicting ideas. Some say to change the entire filter, some say to just swish it around in removed tank water to clean, some say to just leave it. What should I do?

Lucy

Swish the filter media around in used tank water. If it's got carbon, just change the casrbon out (if you can)
You only need to replace it when it's falling apart.

Emmy

what do you mean, just change the carbon out?

Lucy

If you're using carbon it needs to be changed every few weeks.
Some filters have pouches you can open up to change the carbon. Others have catridges that you can slit and remove the carbon.
If your using the catridge and prefer to use carbon you should replace the cartridge every couple of weeks.