Changing out Filter Cartridge

Okay, so I'm big on "rinsing the same cartridge with old tank water and popping it back in the filter to maintain the cycle." However, the current one in my 29g is just getting ripped to shreds (bladder snails sometimes find their way in there and must just be biting at it). I slid a new cartridge in the reservoir with the media sponges to grow some bacteria. How long should I keep the slimy old cartridge in with the new one before taking it out? I was going to leave them in together for a week before making the swap, but should I wait longer? Thanks!

 

I usually try for 3-4 weeks myself, like i do when seeding a new sponge filter. Assuming it is the same tank, you probably won't have to go as long, considering bacteria should be on the glass and decor as well.

 

Okay, so I'm big on "rinsing the same cartridge with old tank water and popping it back in the filter to maintain the cycle." However, the current one in my 29g is just getting ripped to shreds (bladder snails sometimes find their way in there and must just be biting at it). I slid a new cartridge in the reservoir with the media sponges to grow some bacteria. How long should I keep the slimy old cartridge in with the new one before taking it out? I was going to leave them in together for a week before making the swap, but should I wait longer? Thanks!

Get rid of those things and get some different media already... You can tear the cloth off and put it in there instead of the whole cartridge, but yeah I would say a month too.

 

Thanks! That tank is doing so well, so I really don't want to mess it up.

 

To lower your work and cost in maintaining your filters use a sponge pre filter on the intake.

I use these.
Filter Max 3 Prefilter - AquaCave.com

 

Get rid of those things and get some different media already... You can tear the cloth off and put it in there instead of the whole cartridge, but yeah I would say a month too.

To lower your work and cost in maintaining your filters use a sponge pre filter on the intake.

I use these.
Filter Max 3 Prefilter - AquaCave.com

Agree with these, I would definitely say get rid of the cartridges, not half as much filtration as you get with sponges/etc. and also, with sponges/etc. they last much longer and you never have to replace. What I would do is put them behind the cartridges, leave in for ~1/2 month, and then take the cartridges out and possibly add some more with the empty space. Although you are doing fine bio-load wise right now, what if you have a dead fish or a plant dies, ammonia spike, or with all the extra filtration, there wouldn't be, for info on how to mod a HOB, look at my article on it here, scroll to the bottom: Resource 'Filtration 101'

If you still don't want to, I would definitely recommend a pre-filter, that way, the cartridges won't clog as fast, and you won't have to replace as often, and it adds a ton of biological filtration.

 

Thank you! I have media sponges behind the cartridges and once had a pre-filter sponge that I made from a media sponge when I had a young fish that loved swimming into filters (it's almost an adult now and alive). I stuck it in the reservoir but can rinse it and get it back onto the intake.

 

Thank you! I have media sponges behind the cartridges and once had a pre-filter sponge that I made from a media sponge when I had a young fish that loved swimming into filters (it's almost an adult now and alive). I stuck it in the reservoir but can rinse it and get it back onto the intake.

Yeah, that'll help keep your cartridges good longer.