Will My Tank Recycle If I Change My Filter Cartridge And Sponge?

Hi, I am new to aquariums and have had my 10 gallon tank for 1 month with a successful cycle as of last week. It was time to change the replaceable sponge and filter cartridge on my aqueon quiet flow 10 according to the instructions, so I did so a couple hours ago. I am now second guessing my actions as I did a heavy water change too. Is my tank going to recycle? Thanks

 

It will have to recycle. They want you to spend money on filter cartridges. Instead, rinse it off as needed in either tank water or nechlorinated water.

 

It will have to recycle. They want you to spend money on filter cartridges. Instead, rinse it off as needed in either tank water or nechlorinated water.

Ok, how often do you think I should clean the filter cartridge?

 

Only when it's fairly dirty.

 

Only when it's fairly dirty.

Alright thanks! I hope I can do this again lol, the cycle was a struggle last time.

 

Unless you wiped the inside of the filter casing clean, you will have some bacteria inside the filter itself, so I don't think you will be starting entirely over. Make sure you test for Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates over the next week to do any water changes needed.

 

Unless you wiped the inside of the filter casing clean, you will have some bacteria inside the filter itself, so I don't think you will be starting entirely over. Make sure you test for Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates over the next week to do any water changes needed.

Alright thanks, the specific filter I have has bio grids that are suppose to hold the good bacteria on them so I hope they actually work.

 

Alright thanks, the specific filter I have has bio grids that are suppose to hold the good bacteria on them so I hope they actually work.

Oh, that's good! It should hold a good bit, but will take about a week to catch up. It actually replaces itself quite quickly. I change my cartridges often in my aquarium, way more than most people do. But, you have to be more careful with your beneficial bacteria, you won't have a well-established colony for 6 months. This six months needs to also be where you have not needed to treat with medications. Medications will set the bacteria back quite a bit.
Next time you want to change your cartridge, see if you can fit a new one behind the old one to seed it for a appx. 5 days, then take out the old and leave in the new. Doing this, your tank will be fine.
I change out mine (this tank is well-established, 5 years old) every couple months the same way. Dont do it as often as the manufacture suggests, but don't feel you need to keep it in there until it falls apart. That, to me, is bad fish-keeping husbandry.

 

Oh, that's good! It should hold a good bit, but will take about a week to catch up. It actually replaces itself quite quickly. I change my cartridges often in my aquarium, way more than most people do. But, you have to be more careful with your beneficial bacteria, you won't have a well-established colony for 6 months. This six months needs to also be where you have not needed to treat with medications. Medications will set the bacteria back quite a bit.
Next time you want to change your cartridge, see if you can fit a new one behind the old one to seed it for a appx. 5 days, then take out the old and leave in the new. Doing this, your tank will be fine.
I change out mine (this tank is well-established, 5 years old) every couple months the same way. Dont do it as often as the manufacture suggests, but don't feel you need to keep it in there until it falls apart. That, to me, is bad fish-keeping husbandry.

Will do, thanks for all the info!