Important!! - Filter Issues

So its a week and a half into my cycle and I dosed a bunch of beneficial bacteria for my new 10 gallon in fish-in-cycle (not my choice), and my filter is completely covered brown sludge! There is the main filter (picture attached) and a little sponge near the end of the water filtering process that is also kind of brown. What do I do?

AND ALSO...when changing my filter every like month (it says on instructions) will it cause my nitrogen cycle to start over bc. no beneficial bacteria?? What should I do? (no space for bio rings or any sort in my filter)

 

AND ALSO...when changing my filter every like month (it says on instructions) will it cause my nitrogen cycle to start over bc. no beneficial bacteria?? What should I do? (no space for or any sort in my filter)

Ignore the instructions. It's just marketing to try and up their sales on filter media. The only filter that needs regular replacement is carbon media as it loses effectiveness after 3-4 weeks. Other media should only be replaced if they start disintegrating and blocking water flow. You're correct that replacement of all media at once will essentially force a new cycle, and even when replacing old media due to disintegration, it's advisable to replace bit by bit to ensure your established cycle is maintained.

Regarding the brown sludge, it looks a bit dirty, but not to any unusual extent. Just siphon out some of your tank water into a bucket and give the media a gentle rinse to dislodge any accumulated debris and then put it back.

 

Okay, I do have a carbon filter so I should replace that right?

So I have the carbon cartridge and the sponge thing at the end, so when replacing either don't do it at the same time and keep a part of it still in the filter?

 

Okay, I do have a carbon filter so I should replace that right?

A lot of people don't bother. They only use it whenever there's an issue with water staining (e.g. tannins leaching from driftwood) or some sort of foul odour.

It's not necessary at all to use the carbon filter. Consider it another savings on your monthly aquarium hobby budget!

Re: replacing media, that's correct. Replace it bit by bit. But generally most filter media - being made of plastic - tends to last quite a while (several years in many cases). It's not something that you should be actively concerned about it. Give the filter a gentle tug during routine maintenance, and if it pulls apart, then it's a good sign that it's time to replace it.

 

Sorry - one more question, what do you mean that the filter media is made of plastic? Mine is spongey material, or do you mean the filter itself?

 

The filter sponge is likely made out of some synthetic polymer. It'll last a long while before needing to be replaced.

 

Awesome, thank you so much for your help!