Changing Filter Media?

I change mine once a month.I might start just changing it every 2-3 months.what about everyone else?

Once a month is what I was told to change the charcol. I'm curious what team Fishlore has to say.

what I mean is the actual filter.

 

I don't change the media in my HOB filters until water doesn't go through them anymore. I usually change the floss in my canisters about every month or 2. I never use charcoal unless it's part of the filter media. Don't see the need for it except for like Mike said when I need to absorb some medications from the tank.

 

I only put new filters in when they can't be rinsed any more, and then I only change 1/2 at a time to preserve as much beneficial bacteria as possible. I use filter media that comes on a roll and cut it to what ever size that filter needs. 3 filters have sponges and they are rinsed the same as above. don't use charcoal either.
Carol

 

Hmm that reminds me to get some more on Saturday...

Good polls dano!

 

My filter is an AquaClear.  It has a white pastic filter on the bottom that I rinse in tank water.  On top of that is the mesh packet of charcol, which "they" say is also a small part of the media and should be changed monthly.  Last and most important is the mesh packet of small, white media cubes.  I am told not to do anything at all with them, as they are what keep all the good bacteria thriving with a nice place to camp out.  Sounds like I don't need the carbon changes?   ???  Please fill me in.  thanks!

 

Probably don't need the charcoal except after medicating to take the medication out. But the little white ring things are really good. I think they can get stopped up but it takes a longtime and can be rinsed in tank water. Just my thoughts
Carol

 

Probably don't need the charcoal except after medicating to take the medication out. But the little white ring things are really good. I think they can get stopped up but it takes a longtime and can be rinsed in tank water. Just my thoughts
Carol

I agree with Butterfly. Sometimes charcoal is also good when your tank water has an odor. Some folks are more sensitive to the smell of their tank water, and in those cases, the charcoal can be helpful.

 

Thanks for the insights!

 

My 5 gallon tank has a Bio-Wheel filter which is NEVER changed but the prefilters get changed about every 10 days or so. I could go longer, I just don't like to. The small 3 gallon vase has a PennPlax Small World filter and I let it go for a month as every time I change it I have to recycle all over again. It has what looks like a piece of styrofoam in the bottom half and the top half is filled with activated charcoal. It does a good job once it gets going, but takes about a week to get conditioned.

I do water changes about 3 times a week. Usually try to do about 30% on each tank or more when the chemistry isn't what I want it to be. I was doing daily changes, but they got to the stage where they did not need it and the food I am feeding right now doesn't have much waste to it. All I have to do is watch the chemistry.

Shalom,

Rose

 

Rose, do you change both the foam and carbon packet at the same time? It shouldn't recycle every time u change the media...

 

Rose, do you change both the foam and carbon packet at the same time? It shouldn't recycle every time u change the media...

I know and I wish it were better, Emma; but the price of finding a filtration system small enough for the vase was to buy one with cartridges packed in plastic casings holding BOTH the styrofoam AND the charcoal so when one goes the other goes as well. There's no choice, I wish I knew of a small filter that would allow another way; but I afraid they would cause too much water disturbance. This filter does a fair enough job, it is just a pain going through the constant chemistry changes. I do use the Stress Zyme in his tank to help it along even though I don't as a rule like this kind of thing.

If anyone has any options for me as far as a different filtration system, please feel free to let me know. I am only working on the theory that ANY filtration system is better than none at all. This one is specially made for SMALL containers and has a control that allows a strict adjustment of airflow.

Thanks.

Shalom,

Rose

Rose, do you change both the foam and carbon packet at the same time? It shouldn't recycle every time u change the media...

I know and I wish it were better, Emma; but the price of finding a filtration system small enough for the vase was to buy one with cartridges packed in plastic casings holding BOTH the styrofoam AND the charcoal so when one goes the other goes as well. There's no choice, I wish I knew of a small filter that would allow another way; but I afraid they would cause too much water disturbance. This filter does a fair enough job, it is just a pain going through the constant chemistry changes. I do use the Stress Zyme in his tank to help it along even though I don't as a rule like this kind of thing.

If anyone has any options for me as far as a different filtration system, please feel free to let me know. I am only working on the theory that ANY filtration system is better than none at all. This one is specially made for SMALL containers and has a control that allows a strict adjustment of airflow. I'm going to take pictures of some of this so you know what I'm talking about. Send them in the next post.

Shalom,

Rose

Thanks.

Shalom,

Rose

:-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

Okay, Okay so I know I sent that last one twice! I'm not even awake yet ! My brain will kick in soon and I will be able to do amazing things all day -- 8) ,

Here are the promised pictures. I wanted to show the air pump and get a picture of as much of the set up as possible. Please remember that the glass of the vase is quite thick and tends to MAGNIFY things so the actual filter is not quite as large as it seems.

 

It's hard to say when exactly to change the filter media because there are (1) different filter types, (2) different tank sizes, and (3) different stocking levels (amounts of fish in tanks). I think the more stocked your tank is, the more often you need to change your filter media - but I'm not 100% sure about it. The filter I have is AquaClear for 40-70 gallon tanks, although my tank is only 30 gallons. I maintain my filter according to my filter's instructions. There are 3 filter media in my my filter: carbon, sponge, and BioMax. In my type of filter, one can never replace all filter media at once. I replace one medium at a time - this ensures that bacteria are never totally removed from the filter and that the cycle contunues. I really like this filter - never had any problems with my water thanks to it. I replace carbon every month, sponge - every 2 months, and BioMax - every 3 months.

 

This is what I had on my little tank at one time. It has a sponge and filter pad seperate.

It worked real well.
Carol

 

I have a Top Fin Power Filter 10 what would be the best way to change my filter Cartridge, withot removing all the good bacteria. ??

 

I don't know the names of filters but mine is a "hang on the back" filter, I think that is what yours is as well...am I right? What I do is put some extra filter material behind the actual filter cartridge and change them out alternately.

 

Yes that is what I have. So I just put a piece of filter material behind filter, then when I change filter I leave filter material behind new filter for how long ???

 

From what I've read on here, as long as you rinse your filter cartridge in tank water regularly and the flow of the filter is still good, you don't have to replace your filter. Its when it gets gunky and blocks the flow that you should change it, I would imagine its the same for that extra material, its always good to have that back up around.

 

Thanks, for the good advice .

 

Your exactly right!!
Carol

 

I use the wisper 3I filter for my 2.5 gallon tank and it has been spilling scum on the top of my water. It dosent have have the standard mechanical filter then crabon then bio filter it is an all in one cartrage. It needs to be changed and I have replacements but what is the best way to do it without having a minicycle? here is what the filter looks like and the cartrages are beside the filter on the right. what can/should I do to avoid a minicycle? my tank has been cycled and running for about a month.

 

Can two filter fit in the slot for a little while, while the new one sets up cultures? How about cutting a piece off the old to put in with the new? If these two are not possible, soak the new filter media in the water for a day to get the bacteria started, maybe keep it near or on the substrate.

 

I dunno if I wanna put it in with the old one it is hardcore green and gross but ill try anyways. how long should it have to stay in with the old one? a day or two?

 

I would imagine that would be ample time, however, if it is that disgusting, you might want to consider the second alternative. Either way, you'll end up having to wait a day or so, right? Why not go with the safer approach.

 

I tried but they won't both fit in the filter. so on the bottom it goes and ill have to keep up water changes to get rid of the scum ill post a pic.

here are the pictures of the scum and filter

 

Normally I'd be excited about pics. Scum pics I'm not too sure of lol jk pic away.. HAHAHAHAHAHA Eeeew!

Yeah, that's disgusting! How long have you had it? Oh, and QUIT BITTING YOUR NAILS!

 

its only bee n up a month or so. lol I don't bite my nails there just neatly trimmed hahah

 

You might want to contact the manufacturer. I can't see this being normal. Maybe get a refund or voucher for credit. They may even be able to help you find the reason why this happened if it has to do with your tank, so be prepared with all the info you can provide to defend your innocence.... ahem... alleged innocence ahahahahah lol

 

lol I think it was because I was feeding the tank a lot durring the cycle. it has been up for a month after the cycle so a little more than 2 months total

 

Mmmhmmm ... go on....

 

the tank was setup for cycle on august 10th and has been using the same filter media ever since. it also uses air too bring water through the media. I was "feeding" the tank a lot to get the ammonia going so I'm thinking this one should last longer look no more scum also heres where I put the new filter cartrage

 

How'd you take care of the scum? Did just putting the new filter in there do that? Now that's new!

 

lol no I used a cup to scoop it off the surface and refilled it with dechlorinated water

if only it were that easy

 

LoL... doh! So you had scum tea? Eeeeeeeewwww!

 

oh yea does that body good

 

hahahaha let me know how it goes with the change

 

ill keep everything up to date. Ill probally leave the new cartrage in the bottom for a week just to be safe.

 

You don't need a week, but, can't hurt.

 

ive got the same filter in 2 of my small (1.5 gal) tanks... For one (I don't know how long you had that filter in) I rarely let my filter stay in there for over 2 weeks. Mine turned green, but yours was mega green. When I change the filter I try to rub the new one and the old one together to get the bacteria on the new one. Old school but it seems to work pretty well for me. also keeping your gravel clean will help a lot with this mini-filter. Just giving you my input! -- Nat

 

I can't tell you the last time I bought a filter media.

I rinse mine every week, getting off the "scum"

I also don't use carbon in my filters, unless I can't avoid it or am removing medications.

Cleaning the media on a weekly basis helps to stabilize the environment, so you don't have too many swings.

 

So how'd the descumming go?