Replacing Filter Media

I have a 29 gallon tank, currently housing 1 bolivian ram and 1 male swordtail. I plan to add 1-2 more rams, a snail and a school of neon tetras to complete the tank. However, my parameters have been reading high lately, so I've put a halt on my stocking. The temperature is good, but pH: 7.6, Amonia: 1.0, Nitrite: .5 and Nitrate: 10.

To get ammonia and pH down, I've done 3-4 water changes this week and have not fed them in the last day and a half; the water looks crystal clear and the fish seem fine, although I can starve them much longer. I think the problem is with my filters. I have a tetra 30 and an old filter meant for 10 gallons (40 gallon strong filter for my 29 gallon tank). Although I do swish the filter pad around in the old water after water changes, I have never replaced them. This is because I don't know what needs replacing; I don't want to remove my good bacteria.

I know I need to change the filter media out every 2-3 weeks, but what exactly am I suppose to replace? There seems to be 2 filter pads inside: a dark like pad and a white pad with the carbon inside (I think). What must stay, and what can go, if any? Do I leave both pads and only replace the carbon? Do I need the carbon?

Any advice is helpful! Thank you!

 

How did you cycle the tank?

Did you do anything different recently (i.e. different water source, changed temp., added stock, treated with meds?)

Did the pH recently rise?

Never used the Tetra 30, but I looked it up online and you can replace or just remove the carbon, supposedly it stops working after a few weeks. You could make a slit in the covering and remove the carbon through the small slit.

Do not change the media, in this case it looks like either the mesh or sponge (or both, if that's what you're using), until it is falling apart (~1yr or so). That is where all the beneficial bacteria (BB) live, so if you removed that, you would lose the cycle entirely.

You could wash the media in clean conditioned water (i.e. Prime, etc.), which might get the media a little cleaner. Untreated tap water will kill the BB as it contains chlorine/chloramine.

Test your source water (i.e. tap water, well water, etc.) for all parameters, its possible that's where the ammonia and nitrite are coming from.

You could also add Tetra SafeStart (TSS) (BB in a bottle) to you tank to process the ammonia and nitrites. **do a water change, wait 24 hrs, add TSS, no water changes for 2 weeks**

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/q-a-with-tetra-about-tetra-safestart.58116/

 

is the media that looks like mesh or a sponge black or white?

 

Can you take pictures?

 

I have heard that replacing filter media is not beneficial but what if the media is super dirty and in need of replacement?

 

When it gets to the point that washing it in the removed tank water or dechlorinated tap water is no longer viable, cut off what you can (not sure what type of filter you are using - once you have enough posts, could you please fill out your profile) and put that in with the new filter. If you are using a standard HOB filter, basically cut it apart so that you have the filter media (the stuff that looks somewhat spongy or like pillow stuffing), and put the new filter media along with that stuff into the filter box.

 

When it gets to the point that washing it in the removed tank water or dechlorinated tap water is no longer viable, cut off what you can (not sure what type of filter you are using - once you have enough posts, could you please fill out your profile) and put that in with the new filter. If you are using a standard HOB filter, basically cut it apart so that you have the filter media (the stuff that looks somewhat spongy or like pillow stuffing), and put the new filter media along with that stuff into the filter box.

I don't have my aquarium yet, I am a newbie and trying to understand everything so when I get my aquarium I feel comfortable, but I will most likely get an aquaclear HOB

 

Awesome that you are doing all the research first!

Generally, you should be able to clean the media if it's dirty. Either use water you have pulled out of the tank during a water change, or just use dechlorinated tap water. Once you can't do that effectively anymore, or can't do it without things starting to fall apart, you would want to consider replacing it.

I have not used an aquaclear, but looking at the layout of the filter and how it's set up, I have a feeling you should rarely need to actually replace the media, and even if you do, you probably won't need to replace it all at the same time, which should make things easier. From what I can tell, it pretty much has 3 separate places where the BB will colonize. The bottom foam layer will probably be what ends up needing to be replaced, but with the structure, it looks like most of the BB will actually be housed in the top layer. As long as you aren't replacing all of the layers at the same time, the BB from the two remaining layers should colonize on the one you replace.

Many HOBs don't have the 3 layer system that the aquaclear has, so people end up ripping apart old filters to be able to keep something in the filter that has the BB on it.

 

This is the advantage to running two filters on a tank. I clean one filter one time and the other the next time. If I need to replace anything I add SeaChem Stability to help the new filter parts establish.

 

So, I've searched about this a bit, but I still don't have a clear answer.
The directions on filters always say that the filter cartridge should be replaced every month.
I saw people saying that no one should do that because of the beneficial bacteria living in there.
Well, I have two HOB filters and they both have activated carbon cartridges. I heard that the carbon is almost useless in filters because it doesn't do much for the water.
So here is my question: How often should I be replacing the filter cartridges? Or should I ditch the cartridges all together and replace it with sponges?
My filters have space inside that I can fill sponges and other media into, so I was wondering if that would be better than buying the cartridges all the time...

 

Carbon does a lot for the water. It clears any small contaminants, any tanins from driftwood, bad smells. I use a filter pad instead of carbon, and only use carbon like once every 6 months to clear up the water.

 

I'd ditch the cartridges as they are expensive and aren't really effective because all 3 stages of filtration (mechanical, chemical, biological) are encased together. Carbon isn't really necessary so I would replace those cartridges with filter floss or filter pad and some ceramic rings/bio balls. Before you replace, cut the floss surrounding the cartridge and stuff that next to the bio media for a month before completely removing.

 

I've had tanks running for years and never replaced the media.

I use pillow batting as my mechanical and bio media in all my HOBs. Whenever the flow is low I just clean it off in tank water.

Instead of carbon I use purigen bags. More effective and far cheaper.

 

What filter is it? Others may have ideas on how you can modify it to have better filtration.

 

What filter is it? Others may have ideas on how you can modify it to have better filtration.

One of them is the whisper 1-3 gallon filter. There aren't a lot of options for a 3 gallon tank, so I went with that. And the other one came with my tank and it's by marineland. It's one of those filters that are veritcal and you stick a cartridge into it.


These are the two filter cartridges my filters use. They both have activated carbon inside

 

I'd ditch the cartridges as they are expensive and aren't really effective because all 3 stages of filtration (mechanical, chemical, biological) are encased together. Carbon isn't really necessary so I would replace those cartridges with filter floss or filter pad and some ceramic rings/bio balls. Before you replace, cut the floss surrounding the cartridge and stuff that next to the bio media for a month before completely removing.

Okay I might do this instead

 

I always ditch any cartidges that cannot be opened and try to find those that can. This way the material can be kept but the carbon can be easily replaced. However, in some of my filters I replace the cartridge completely. I just buy several types of media meant for canisters (course sponge, fine sponge, filterfloss) and cut them to the size/shape I need. I also buy little mesh baggies for bio media. If carbon is needed, I'll buy the throw away carbon cartridges or buy a baggie that can be refilled.

 

Assuming the 3 gallon filter will be super small. So get a sponge that fits and put that in there. Along with that if there is more room put in bio balls. Do the same thing with the other filter, add carbon if you want.

All carbon does is:
Remove odours
Remove medication
Remove heavy metals
Remove water discolouration.

 

One of them is the whisper 1-3 gallon filter. There aren't a lot of options for a 3 gallon tank, so I went with that.

I have one of those in my 3 gallon Betta tank.






Dual density poly pad with Seachem Matrix and some crushed coral in the bottom.

 

I’ve been getting mixed answers as far as switching out my filter media. I have a Aquaclear 20 on my ten gallon and I replaced the carbon today. There’s no room in the filter to put the new carbon on top of the old carbon to “seed” it plus I have a pre filter sponge, a sponge on my filter, and the bio media as well. I was told this wouldn’t mess up my cycle but I’m getting mixed answers. Can someone tell me cause I’m worried about it.

 

I have almost exact same set up. watching. but have read that switching 25%-ish (my take away) of media is OK a week apart. I shoved mine with a bag of Fluval bio balls and as much sponge filters that will fit (no carbon cuz plants)

 

The carbon (if you use it) will house some bacteria but if you're replacing it regularly then it won't have that much. The majority will be living in tje biomedia which is the rest of what's in your filter that you mentioned. Except for a possible slight hiccup in your parameters there shouldn't be any changes to your cycle running smoothly by changing out the carbon!

 

I have almost exact same set up. watching. but have read that switching 25%-ish (my take away) of media is OK a week apart. I shoved mine with a bag of Fluval bio balls and as much sponge filters that will fit (no carbon cuz plants)

The carbon (if you use it) will house some bacteria but if you're replacing it regularly then it won't have that much. The majority will be living in tje biomedia which is the rest of what's in your filter that you mentioned. Except for a possible slight hiccup in your parameters there shouldn't be any changes to your cycle running smoothly by changing out the carbon!

What if I had it in there for a while? I don’t know what else I could of done? It had to come out and there wasn’t any room to “seed”. Now I feel like I did the wrong thing.

 

Most of your bacteria are probably in your biomedia. Just keep testing. If you don't see any serious spikes in ammonia or nitrites then everything's cool! Even if you did see spikes they probably wouldn't be that big and you'd know how to ride them out anyway

 

Most of your bacteria are probably in your biomedia. Just keep testing. If you don't see any serious spikes in ammonia or nitrites then everything's cool! Even if you did see spikes they probably wouldn't be that big and you'd know how to ride them out anyway

Ok thank you. I’m so paranoid now that I’m going to get a big spike of some sort. I have quite a bit of things that the bacteria can house on( pre filter sponge, sponge in my filter, bio media, and I also have a sponge to help baffle on the outtake.

 

Well, look at it this way. Either you're going to get a spike or you're not. There's nothing you can do to stop it if it does so you may as well relax and deal with what comes!

 

What if I had it in there for a while? I don’t know what else I could of done? It had to come out and there wasn’t any room to “seed”. Now I feel like I did the wrong thing.

sorry, I missed the part about you replacing all the media. ((are you SURE there's no room to cram in ANYTHING else with those carbon jobbies?--- like anywhere??))
...as others said, you will likely cycle again

 

Ok thank you. I’m so paranoid now that I’m going to get a big spike of some sort. I have quite a bit of things that the bacteria can house on( pre filter sponge, sponge in my filter, bio media, and I also have a sponge to help baffle on the outtake.

missed this too. carry on... you'll have a small spike

 

missed this too. carry on... you'll have a small spike

No I didn’t replace all my media just the carbon because that's what everyone told me to do. Why are you so sure I’ll have a small spike?

 

sorry, I missed the part about you replacing all the media. ((are you SURE there's no room to cram in ANYTHING else with those carbon jobbies?--- like anywhere??))
...as others said, you will likely cycle again

And no there’s no room. I don’t see what else I could of done.

 

I'm not SO sure. I would just assume with a filter that size in a tank that size.

 

And no there’s no room. I don’t see what else I could of done.

sorry. I missed the part of all the extra filer you've done. I did same with mine and would also expect a little spike with a 25% (ISH) loss of BB

 

sorry. I missed the part of all the extra filer you've done. I did same with mine and would also expect a little spike with a 25% (ISH) loss of BB

I’ve replaced filter media before without any issues so I don’t understand why you think I’m going to get a spike. I just did what everyone told me to do.

 

sorry, I can't hep you.

 

sorry, I can't hep you.

I never got a spike by the way. Everything stayed perfectly the same and I tested very often just to be sure.

 

Well, look at it this way. Either you're going to get a spike or you're not. There's nothing you can do to stop it if it does so you may as well relax and deal with what comes!

Didn’t get a spike , but now I have 2 other tanks that have had carbon in for a long time that I need to change. How do you recommend I go about changing it without risking a spike? I might of just got lucky with not getting a spike on the tank I changed..

 

The BB lives in your sponge filter and bio media and to a lesser extent on the surfaces of your tank (plants, substrate, decorations, tank wall, etc). Changing just the carbon won't do much, if at all. Rinse the sponge and bio media in old tank water to get the gunk off. You don't need to ring it out. You might not even need carbon if your tank is established.

 

The BB lives in your sponge filter and bio media and to a lesser extent on the surfaces of your tank (plants, substrate, decorations, tank wall, etc). Changing just the carbon won't do much, if at all. Rinse the sponge and bio media in old tank water to get the gunk off. You don't need to ring it out. You might not even need carbon if your tank is established.

Even if the carbon has been in the filter for a long time?

 

Oh BB will be in the carbon for sure! Lots of it. That's because carbon has a lot of surface area being so porous which is why it's used to absorb stuff. But it's only one of the places that the bacteria grow. You have several and you're only changing one of them. Don't worry. If you get a spike it's likely to be a small one

 

Oh BB will be in the carbon for sure! Lots of it. That's because carbon has a lot of surface area being so porous which is why it's used to absorb stuff. But it's only one of the places that the bacteria grow. You have several and you're only changing one of them. Don't worry. If you get a spike it's likely to be a small one

So there’s really no way around it if I want to change it out? I’m going to end up losing some good bacteria regardless is what your saying?