Questions about replacing my filter

I have a cycled 29 gal tank with the Aqueon Quiet Flow 30 Filter. I've had the filter in for about 5 weeks. They recommend changing the filter once a month. which leads me to...
Question #1- Do you have to change the filters that often? Or is it like Valvoline recommending you change your oil every 3000 miles just to get more of your $$
Question #2- Do I just take the old filter out, toss it, and put the new filter in. I know the established filter had the good bacteria in it. Do I put the old filter in the tank while I run the new filter. ARGH!! I don't want to mess up my tank.

Sorry for my ignorance and thanks for your help

 

Don't toss it out. All the good bacteria is on it and then you would have to cycle the tank all over again.

 

Hello there!

When you say change the filter, you are talking about the filer cartridge that came with the unit right?

Unfortunately, its a double-edged sword there. The reason is YES AND NO.

If you are using the cartridge that came with the unit, it is a carbon cartridge. Carbon DOES need to be changed out every 4-6 weeks or so otherwise it loses its ability to polish the water for impurities, remove odors, etc
BUT, by throwing that away and changing it out, you will end up losing your cycle.

What I would do is go to the lfs store and buy those cut to fit filter pads ( plain 18X12 size ) and cut a piece that will fit behind/alongside the cartridge you have in there now.
KEEP both of them together for at least another 4-6 weeks so that the new filter pad will "Seed" itself with the bacteria.

Then you can throw out the carbon cartridge and put another filter pad ( you could even buy a 18X12 carbon cut to fit pad if you wish ) and put it in.
Now you will have the filter pad you put in 4-6 weeks past and then a new one.
The Aqueon 30 does not have much room to add any more media so that's how I would do it.

Alternatively, you could get another filter ( If you want to stick with Aqueon, they are pretty good and have a 55/75 model which will hold at least 4 pads + some biomax and a sponge. You could run both filters side by side.
That's how my set up is in my tank.

There are other ways to get around this to but if you plan on keeping the Aqueon 30, then this is probably the easiest without disrupting your cycle.

 

What Junne said is spot on. Here is what I use instead of the Aqueon inserts.....



Just cut them to size, measure but I think it is 5 1/2 X 5 1/2 and you are good to go. One of the box stores has basically the same thing by "Marineland", jus a different consistency.

 

The deep blue pads are pretty good and very economical that you can rinse each cut pad and reuse them for about 4-6 months. By that time, its falling apart but by then, you will have another ready to take its place.

The manufacturers tell you to throw away the cartridge and buy a new one! Please don't do that!!!

 

Oh, my bad. Disregard my post then.

 

I was able to squeeze the old filter cartridge behind the new cartridge. If I keep them like this for a few weeks, the bacteria should colonize the new filter correct? I already have six of the Aqueon filters on hand and would like to use those if possible

 

I think 4-5 weeks would be ok.

 

Thank you. I came very close to making a bad decision. Starting an aquarium had been quite the learning experience. Very glad I stumbled upon this site. Some day I might be able to give back by offering my own "expert" advice.

 

If you have any questions or need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask. Lot's of nice people here willing to help.

 

Thank you. I came very close to making a bad decision. Starting an aquarium had been quite the learning experience. Very glad I stumbled upon this site. Some day I might be able to give back by offering my own "expert" advice.

Believe me, I have made the mistake myself.... Worse than that, my hubby read you needed to rinse the cartridge out so he did - in plain tap water and killed off all the bb.
But we learn and hopefully prevent others from making the same mistakes as we did - especially when little lives depend on us!

Just make sure that your water is flowing freely behind and around the cartridges. If you notice not much water coming out, then you will probably need to "re-adjust" the cartridges.