Re-using Dirty Carbon Filter Cartridges?

When I was cleaning one of my tanks last night I replaced the dirty carbon cartridge with a clean one. I put the old one in some dirty tank water, I was hoping to clean it somehow and put it back in the tank filter once the new one is full of fish poo.

Is this a feasible option? The tank is an Aqua One Aqua Style 620/620T and whilst the filter cartridges aren’t expensive there has to be a better way of keeping the tank clean and not have to replace the filter media every month or so. Maybe I could replace the whole trickle system in the back of the tank with something better?

I also have an Eheim internal filter to support the tanks trickle filter system, it gives the fish a good current to swim in.

 

Whats this carbon cartridge look like ? I had carbon in a hob filter but I cut it out and wrapped filter floss round it as a water polisher and I replace the wool every now and then when its clogged and ruined, the carbon is really no good except for removing meds or maybe tanins from the water.
that's mine the big wool bits are the plastic inserts which held the carbon.

 

You really shouldn't be replacing the filter media, that will just restart your cycle. Usually you clean it in dirty aquarium water then put it back in the filter.

Edit: Oh wait are you only talking about the carbon or all of the filter media?

 

From what I gave read, after a while carbon begins to leach some of the nasties it has accumulated. So it might be good to get rid of it.

 

I rinse my cartridges in tank water once a month and do not replace them until they are about to fall apart.
I never replace all my filter media at the same time to ensure the cycle is maintained. My HOBs have double slots so I just change out the oldest one when necessary.
Carbon is only active for 2 weeks. It's use is to eliminate smells, medication, and help with clarity of the water. Otherwise not necessary.

 

I rinse my cartridges in tank water once a month and do not replace them until they are about to fall apart.
I never replace all my filter media at the same time to ensure the cycle is maintained. My HOBs have double slots so I just change out the oldest one when necessary.
Carbon is only active for 2 weeks. It's use is to eliminate smells, medication, and help with clarity of the water. Otherwise not necessary.

I replaced the cartridges, there is still a two bags of bio balls that were there from before along with thin sponges that I just rinse out and replace. I was hoping this was enough to keep my tank clean but keep my cycle cycling

 

You really shouldn't be replacing the filter media, that will just restart your cycle. Usually you clean it in dirty aquarium water then put it back in the filter.

Edit: Oh wait are you only talking about the carbon or all of the filter media?

I replaced Aqua One AquaStyle 620/620T & AquaMode 900 Carbon Cartridge (2pk) 3c (25003c)

 

I replaced Aqua One AquaStyle 620/620T & AquaMode 900 Carbon Cartridge (2pk) 3c (25003c)

Sorry I'm not really familiar with those. If it's just the carbon then you throw it out, because it will go inactive after a couple weeks like tfreema said.

 

I replaced the cartridges, there is still a two bags of bio balls that were there from before along with thin sponges that I just rinse out and replace. I was hoping this was enough to keep my tank clean but keep my cycle cycling

Oh yeah, the bio balls and sponge will hold your cycle.
I would still just rinse the cartridge in tank water and use it for a while. That's my personal preference mostly because I have way too many tanks to change out cartridges too often when the carbon really is not necessary all the time.