How to change filter pad in mostly cycled tank?

I have been working a little over a month to cycle my tank. There are no fish in the tank. Parameters: 0.25 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 100ppm Nitrate. I add 2ppm ammonia every day. The tank is 29 Gallon. I have a Top Fin 30 Filter (waterfall type) and it has the red thing on top telling me to change the filter. I have washed the filter pad out once before (in tap water stupidly) because the tank has been running a little over two months. The filterpad does not look in good shape. If I put a new filter pad in, will all the good cycle bacteria in my tank go away?

 

I have been working a little over a month to cycle my tank. There are no fish in the tank. Parameters: 0.25 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 100ppm Nitrate. I add 2ppm ammonia every day. The tank is 29 Gallon. I have a Top Fin 30 Filter (waterfall type) and it has the red thing on top telling me to change the filter. I have washed the filter pad out once before (in tap water stupidly) because the tank has been running a little over two months. The filterpad does not look in good shape. If I put a new filter pad in, will all the good cycle bacteria in my tank go away?

Do not I repeat do not replace the cartridge.
That is home to most of your BB and you may cycle crash if you do so.
Rinse it out yes but in tank water next time you do an exchange.
But it should literally be falling apart before you do so and when it is time I suggest you ditched the stock filter and get some other type of filter media like 20ppm foam,filter floss and bio rings.

 

Do not I repeat do not replace the cartridge.
That is home to most of your BB and you may cycle crash if you do so.
Rinse it out yes but in tank water next time you do an exchange.
But it should literally be falling apart before you do so and when it is time I suggest you ditched the stock filter and get some other type of filter media like 20ppm foam,filter floss and bio rings.

Thanks for the advice! If I do buy another filter media (when the time comes as you said) how do I know it will fit in my filter? Are there standard sizes?

 

You never have to replace your filter until its falling apart. I shove cut to fit sponge filters in my tanks. I don't even run them with commercial cartridges .

 

Read this... Diy Media Guide For Top Fin Silenstream, Aquaclear And Other Hob Filters | 385506 | Filters and Filtration

 

Thanks for the advice! If I do buy another filter media (when the time comes as you said) how do I know it will fit in my filter? Are there standard sizes?

Your gonna have to play around with it,it is all mostly cut to fit bulk media besides the bio rings.
I have filter floss, 20ppi foam,nitrogen pad foam,bio rings,purigen and phosguard all in one filter my aqueon 75 and in my other filters the same.
It takes a bit to get flow right and all but well worth using over the standard cartridge.

 

I have one of the HOB's that use a cartridge also. At some point I bought some filter media, cut a piece the same size as the cartridge, and inserted it into the plastic frame that holds the cartridge. I left the cartridge in the back of the filter for a while so I didn't lose all the bacteria.

 

I have one of the HOB's that use a cartridge also. At some point I bought some filter media, cut a piece the same size as the cartridge, and inserted it into the plastic frame that holds the cartridge. I left the cartridge in the back of the filter for a while so I didn't lose all the bacteria.

Precisely as I did as well.
I cut my pads a little shorter than the plastic grid just in case of a blockage so it can free flow over the top of the foam and in to the tank and not all over my hardwood floor