hooxeii

I've got a corner filter in my 10 gallon tank, which is currently housing a female betta, a panda cory, a ghost shrimp, and an otocinclus. I use corner filters with my bettas because they're really gentle and the bettas seem to not mind them at all (mine were scared of other filters.)

I've had the filter for about 3.5 weeks, and I'm wondering how soon I'll have to change the filter media. I've read 4 weeks is about the length of time...

I do partial water changes weekly and siphon the gravel regularly. I scrub off algae on half of the decorations at a time, and get the water tested weekly. The parameters are good, and the tank is cycled...

--How often should I change the corner filter media?
--How can I do this without causing the tank to need to re-cycle?

raff

By corner filter, do you mean a Hang on the Back filter? If so, I've used one in my tank that I started sometime in June, and I haven't changed the filter media at all. Just occasionally, rinse it in some tank water from a water change to remove some of the gunk. From what I've read, you really only need to change the media when it starts to break down.

When you change filter media, make sure to buy the media a few weeks before you plan to change it. Leave the media somewhere in the tank to allow it to develop the bacteria. If you did a straight change, you would send your tank into another cycle.

Hope that helps.

Raff.

aquarist48

Hello hooxeii. Raff is right on the mark I see that you've just started your tanks as of September. I suggest using the filter media that you have until it is falling apart. You can gently swoosh it around in siphoned tank water. Never tap water. Like Raff said, place the new filter media in the tank at least two weeks prior to switching it out so it has time to collect good bacteria and not throw your tank into a mini cycle. Even then it wouldn't hurt if you placed your old media, hidden somewhere in the tank for another two weeks before throwing it out. This allows the new media to get even stronger.
Have a good day today!
Ken

iloveengl

Good advice above.

I'm wondering if your nitrate reading (under your aquarium info) for this 10g is correct and updated.

djbrist

I think maybe hooxeii might have just a little box filter run by air, like mine:
see it back in the left corner behind the maple leaf, its clear...
If it is , you can just rinse any media in your siphoned tank water as suggested. I have 2 of these in my betta 5.5g tanks, and everyother water change (every other week) I pull the whole thing and open to genly rinse the blue media and extra floss. I have may pieces in there too so I can change the media gradually as they "fall apart", instead of one drastic replacement.

Dave

TedsTank

I would suggest that maybe down the road, you get one of the sponge filters for your tank to replace the corner filter. The sponge does not break down (yet, been 8 months so far). I am running them in 4 of my tanks and are no maintenance hardly....once every month or two i swish clean (never squeeze them)
For a 10 gallon tank you only would have to shorten the output tube about an inch (use a good knife). Super nice bacteria colonies. IMO they are superior to the box filters and inexpensive. and have a much greater surface area for filtration.
If you do this, run it with your corner box for a few weeks to let it get established.

hooxeii

Thank you for the lovely advice, all! I appreciate your insight.

Yes, the nitrate reading are accurate as of last thursday. I will get it checked again on tuesday, and will update the reading as needed.

This is the filter I am referring to:

http://www.leesaqpet.com/component/v...category_id=32

iloveengl

I was wondering because cycled tanks usually have a nitrAte reading between 5-20... and I was worried you're having a mini-cycle already. I know heavily planted tanks eat nitrates, so that may be the cause of the reading. I don't want to cause any alarm, it was just something I noticed.

GL with your filter.

hooxeii

The tank's not heavily planted, but there are plants in there