How To Change Filter Cartridge?

Hello, I recently bought a tank and some orandas. It’s been a little over a week now and it’s already clogged and is almost to the point of overflowing. The tank isn’t overstocked so that isn’t the issue. How do I make the transition of an old cartridge to a new one? Thanks.

 

You can seed the old one. But generally nobody recommends changing them unless you really need to. If it's falling apart I would change it. At this point just swish your cartridge in old tank water, that will unclog it.

Never wash it under tap.

 

1) put old tank water in bucket
2) clean cartridge in said water
3) return cartridge to filter
4) buy beer with saved cartridge money
5) enjoy adult beverage

 

When I do have to change them which is very rare I cut the old filter media off and place it the new cartridge that way you seed it and it provides more room for additional bacteria. I used to get clogged too so what I did was got filter sponges and cut them to fit over my intake tube to catch the food so my fish or shrimp could pick it off later. Just remember to clean the sponge off with water changes.

 

If in a little over a week your filter is clogged to the point of overflowing, something wrong. My first guess would be that you may be overfeeding.

The next thing I want to mention is that you are indeed overstocked, especially if you also have the two pleco's that are listed in your aquarium. But the two goldfish alone overstock that tank. But before you get upset and think I'm judging you, I had a 25g tank with one common goldfish and one fantail goldfish, and yes it was overstocked.

But if it is just the two goldfish, you are not terribly overstocked and the tank should be manageable, just keep on top of your water changes. But if you also have the pleco's in there, well that's severely overstocked and you'll have a lot of problems with the tank.

But on to the question you actually asked...What filter are you using? The reason I ask is because different filters require different methods of media replacement. But generally if you have a filter that has a cartridge you should just swish the cartridge out in some dirty tank water during your weekly water changes. (The reason being, the old tank water is dechlorinated, the chlorine would kill of your bacteria if you cleaned it in tap water). In my old Aqueon filter I got more than a year out of a cartridge before it was too tattered to use any longer.

Most cartridge filters have carbon encapsulated inside the floss. Carbon only works until it reaches the saturation point (usually about one month) then since it's saturated can no longer remove impurities from the water. So you should really cut a slit in the cartridge and dump the carbon out. You may say why not just leave it and let it not work. The reason is that the carbon will start to clump together and make it so that water can no longer pass thru your filter media. Carbon isn't a must use item, so you can just not use it, or if it will fit in your filter box you can just put a media bag full of loose carbon in the filter box.

Best of luck!

 

Ahh yes, there is charcoal in the filter which is made up of carbon.. uh-oh. That’s why it says replace once a month. I recently upgraded to a 75 gallon as the plecos got bigger- my bad for not changing my status. It is a topfin filter. I usually keep the flow on the lowest valve because the current is strong. It says that it can cycle up to 400 gallons per hour. I’ve asked some questions about the filter and I’m planning on getting a new one because the topfin filter isn’t that strong for my tank. I do also think I overfed them the first week. Now they know where I drop the food lol so there’s none left. I recently put a new filter cartridge in. I’ll tell you how it goes. Thanks for the response. I’ll probably a better filter after I go through the new cartridges.

 

If you have an the funds I would try to get a canister filter as I believe it would be more beneficial for a tank that size. Although I am new to the world of canister filters, just got one for my 29 community tank. You can have multiple forms of bb holding media, still carbon if you wish, and save on not having to buy new filter pads. Pretty sure someone on this forum has a great canister filter for a tank your size that won't break the bank that they could recommend.

 

I agree with spike98 , a canister filter would be a very good investment. They are quite, versatile and easy to maintain (at least my Fluvals all have been, don't know about other brands).

 

I am goin to be at the point where my filter cartridge and my bio sponge will need to be changed. I’m using a Aqueon 10 filter. How would I change the Cartridge and the sponge since all the beneficial bacteria is already on there???

 

Don't. Just rinse, wring them out.. Use them until they shred.

 

Don't. Just rinse, wring them out.. Use them until they shred.

Sooo once they shred then what do I do?

 

Replace one at a time. Use the fabric from the old cartridge in the filter with the new one. The sponge may be good for a very long time.

 

so I’m basically waiting until the filter shreds.. take the fabric off and place it onto the new one?

 

Never replaced your filter or you'll mess up your whole BB. Filter media are supposed to be dirty, it's the healthy bacteria... there shouldnt be a reason to change it. All you need to do is swish it around in old tank water during WC. Dont expect a pure white filter media, it shouldnt be white unless it's a new tank setup.

 

so I’m basically waiting until the filter shreds.. take the fabric off and place it onto the new one?

Just put it in the filter somewhere. Where it fits.

You will want to replace it but don't The BB is on the fabric.

 

I used to use filter cartridges, and they’ve always irreparably clogged before they shredded. It’s easier and much cheaper to hotrod it. Stuff the filter full of filter sponge, floss, and biomedia. Pretty much every hob and in-tank filter can be easily hotrodded.

 

Just rinse 'em. I got away with rinsing in tap water for years but now rinse in dechlorinated/treated water just to be safe. I also just cram media in the open areas of my filters. IMO filter cartridges are a gimmick, you could get just as good results with ten cents worth of polyester filter media and a handful of ceramic rings.

 

Next time you do a water change, remove some tank water into a bucket and swish the cartridge around it in. THEN get a sponge or bioballs and put it in the fitler housing with the cartridge. Continue cleaning the cartridge this way for the next 2 months and leave the sponge/bioballs in if possible (do the same to it if it gets too gross). After a couple months just toss the cartridge and your sponge/bioballs will be fine.

 

Next time you do a water change, remove some tank water into a bucket and swish the cartridge around it in. THEN get a sponge or bioballs and put it in the fitler housing with the cartridge. Continue cleaning the cartridge this way for the next 2 months and leave the sponge/bioballs in if possible (do the same to it if it gets too gross). After a couple months just toss the cartridge and your sponge/bioballs will be fine.

I think the Aqueon 10 has a blue biomedia insert. I‘d keep that if you can make it fit.

You may be able to disassemble the filter cartridge you have so you can fit it in with all the new stuff. All you really need is the white fabric part.

 

I think the Aqueon 10 has a blue biomedia insert. I‘d keep that if you can make it fit.

You may be able to disassemble the filter cartridge you have so you can fit it in with all the new stuff. All you really need is the white fabric part.

Yes. It does I have a bio sponge in there right now.

 

Yes. It does I have a bio sponge in there right now.

You can use biomedia, sponge, etc. from pretty much any brand and filter. You can cut it to size for a perfect fit (I recommend using the old cartridge as a stencil).

 

Look at the top sticky'd thread in the Filters and Filtration section titled something like "DIY Media Guide".

 

the bio media sponge should hold enough media so that you can change the cartridge when the cartridge is beyond rinsing. To be safer, add something porouse to the filter were extra biologic stuff can build up, you can use a chemical free sponge, craft felt, craft foam like in the picture, or buy ceramic bio rings or bio balls, its good to have extra media.