Dilemma with fish tank filter.

Hi everyone. So I have a fluval aquaclear 50 hob filter and the recommended times to change each filter media goes: Carbon: every month | Foam: every 2 months | and bio every 3 months.

But what i'm confused about is when i change my foam or bio wouldn't it be time to change my carbon too because the carbon is every month.

 

Hi everyone. So I have a fluval aquaclear 50 hob filter and the recommended times to change each filter media goes: Carbon: every month | Foam: every 2 months | and bio every 3 months.

But what i'm confused about is when i change my foam or bio wouldn't it be time to change my carbon too because the carbon is every month.

Carbon should be changed monthly, but the sponge and bio should be kept until they start falling apart. If those two get dirty, you can give them a rinse in old tank water.

Since those two house most of your bacteria, it is inadvisable to get rid of it because that can throw your tank back into cycling or cause crashes. If you do need to replace the sponge and bio, I wouldn’t do both in the same week for that reason.

Carbon isn’t exactly necessary and is mainly useful for removing medications or sometimes smells, so having it in your filter depends on your preferences or tank needs.

 

Hi everyone. So I have a fluval aquaclear 50 hob filter and the recommended times to change each filter media goes: Carbon: every month | Foam: every 2 months | and bio every 3 months.

But what i'm confused about is when i change my foam or bio wouldn't it be time to change my carbon too because the carbon is every month.

Do not do not do not replace your filter media.
That is where most of the beneficial bacteria lives.
You should leave it in their and only replace it when it starts to fall apart or when you decide to switch to another filter media.
If you keep replacing it your tank will continuously mini cycle with ammonia spikes and all that fun stuff..you do not want that

 

You never have to change the sponge or bio media. The manufactures just recommend that so you keep buying their products. Only replace if they're falling apart.

I don't run carbon on any of my tanks except my quarantine tank so I never replace filter media.

 

agreed with all above!

 

You never have to change the sponge or bio media. The manufactures just recommend that so you keep buying their products. Only replace if they're falling apart.

I don't run carbon on any of my tanks except my quarantine tank so I never replace filter media.

Wow them dang manufacturers always bamboozling people to make money. Never knew that. Thanks sooo much!! So is it okay to change carbon and leave the sponge and bio?

 

Wow them dang manufacturers always bamboozling people to make money. Never knew that. Thanks sooo much!! So is it okay to change carbon and leave the sponge and bio?

You don’t even need to change the carbon, after a few weeks it becomes inert but I’ve noticed no differences in my tank once the carbon has been in there for a month. I’d estimate it’s been two months since I’ve replaced the carbon in my betta tank.

 

You can change the carbon but most people don’t use it unless removing meds or smell in the tank as mentioned above... most will use another sponge or more ceramic media or even polyfill which makes a great cheap media that you can just toss and cut a new piece during filter maintenance... my AC filters are stacked with the sponge on the bottom a couple layers of polyfill in the middle and then the ceramic media in the mesh bag on top. Hope this helps some!

 

Carbon absorbs chemicals out of the water like tannins. I think it's always a good idea to have it in there, but it will be unable to suck up much more after a month, so that's why it needs to be replaced. Sponge and biomax should be replaced much less often, like every few months, and rinsed in a container of tank water every month or two.

 

I just have the sponge it comes with in mine. My sponge is pretty new, its only 3 years old.

 

You never have to change the sponge or bio media. The manufactures just recommend that so you keep buying their products. Only replace if they're falling apart.

I don't run carbon on any of my tanks except my quarantine tank so I never replace filter media.

Agreed. I only run activated carbon in my hospital/quarantine tanks, or when I suspect contaminants have gotten into the tank (rare occasion).

Congrats on VIP, btw.

 

Do not do not do not replace your filter media.
That is where most of the beneficial bacteria lives.
You should leave it in their and only replace it when it starts to fall apart or when you decide to switch to another filter media.
If you keep replacing it your tank will continuously mini cycle with ammonia spikes and all that fun stuff..you do not want that

What if you have to treat your tank because of blue green algae and hydra?