proudmomoftwins

I've rinsed the filters over and over in the tank water when I do a water change, but I think it's time to insert new filters. The filters are Top Fin, and they just slide into the filter box. Now, question... do I take the old filters out
and cut them to empty out the carbon and place the old filter back in with the new filter? I know I don't want to lose the beneficial bacteria. The filter box has two filters, do I want to change both at once or just change one now and change one later on?

Thank you for the help, it's greatly appreciated.

Mae

Aldric

just change the one for now untill it builds up the beneficial bacteria then you can change the other side

proudmomoftwins

so I can change one whole filter out, and not have to worry about saving the filter to add with the new one?

Thanks!

Aldric

your filter has two sponges yes? so you just change the one sponge untill it buids the bacteria then u can change the other

Shawnie

I cut off all the mesh of my old, and put it in with my new just as you described....the charcoal/carbon is only good for 3 weeks or so after the new one is inserted so you only should have the mesh left after time....if you want to use charcoal/carbon on a regular basis, buy the mesh bags and the charcoal/carbon in the box and fill yourself! then replace that every 3 weeks..I would NOT change out any sponges as your tank has built up the needed bacteria on each....in 2-3 weeks, you can throw out the old sponge/mesh once the new one has had time to collect it

proudmomoftwins

Shawnie, I love the animated pic of the fish in the little cubicle!

Thanks for the help guys, it's greatly appreciated.

Shawnie

I do to..thought it was cute ...ty

jdhef

Mae, when I had a TopFin filter in my old 5 gallon tank, I would take a new cartridge, and put it inside the tank (hidden in the back) for two or three weeks. (The cartridges for this particular filter were basically a floss bag with some carbon in it that had a plastic frame inside.) After a couple of weeks I would take the new cartridge out of the tank and dump the carbon out. I would then take about half of the old floss bag and put it in the new floss bag and stick that in the filter. After a week of two, I would take out the old bag from inside the new bag.

I hope that wasn't too confusing. I really can't explian anything without drawing a picture!

Shawnie

you are too good!! im still lost at the "bag" tho LOL wheres your pic? hope things are well jdhef!

jdhef

The "bag" is actually a strip of floss material that is folded in half and stiched up the two sides, leaving only the top open. Then this "bag" slided over a plastic frame, that then has a plastic "butterfly" clip on top that keeps it closed.

A picture really is worth a thousand words...isn't it?

And I guess things are okay with me. I hope all is well with you!

proudmomoftwins

I just got back from PetSmart with the new filters. I figured they were already together, but they're not. I have the filters/pouches then a bag of carbon. Do I have to use the carbon? I think I'm lost. I just figured I could take one out and pop one in or some thing like that. Plus the new filters look HUGE compared to the ones I have, but the box said it would fit model 60. I know I'll get the hang of it sooner or later...lol

jdhef

Carbon is really a matter of personal preference. Many people choose not to use it, although I personally do in my 36 gallon tank. But in my 12 gallon I don't use carbon.

Are you sure you got the correct filters? I would think that they would be about the same size.

proudmomoftwins

The box says it will fit model 30,40,and 60. My model is a 60.

proudmomoftwins

Okay, after getting my kids to bed I was able to take a better look at the filters i bought
and the filters that I want to replace. They're the same size! For some reason, when I took them out of the box they just looked a lot bigger but they're not. I took an old filter, emptied out all the carbon and used half of the old filter to slide down inside the new filter and placed it back inside the filter box. I did the same with the other filter as well. I hope that half an old filter as enough beneficial bacteria to get the new filter going. I pretty much used one whole old filter, I just seperated it and put part in one new filter and the other part in the other new filter.

jdhef, you're right... probably easier to draw a picture then trying to explain it with words...LOL.

zowie717

i have a 2 filter, filter also. I just alternate changing out the filters. Like the other day. I did a water change. Both filters were due to be changed, but I changed one out and will wait about 2-3 weeks to change the other one out. I havent had a problem with this.

In my 30 gallon I take the new filter and just place it behind the old filter. there is enough room to squeeze it in. I do the same for my 10 gallon.

I leave in my carbon. just easier then cut and all the mess.

aquarist48

Hello PM. Sounds like some good advice above. Just keep in mind that you don't want to change everything or clean everything at the same time and you should be good to go. I'm glad the filter inserts were the same size!

Using carbon is up to you as mentioned before. I use it around the clock.
Ken