Change filter at 4.5 weeks?

[cadman]

In the beginning of cycling with fish (5 of them), when do I change my filter in the 4 stage filtration system I have? Looks pretty nasty, but I know it is also assisting in getting the cycle started. Have my new filters ready, just not sure when to change. Thanks much.

[OldMan47]

Next time you do a water change, rinse the filter out in the old tank water. As you said the bacteria you are growing are living in the filter. You do not want to throw them away but rinsing the heavy deposits off the filter won't hurt your cycle.

[Reddog80p]

Do not throughly clean the filter. When you do your water change as stated above, swoosh the filter media/sponges in water removed from the water change. The only time you new to put new filter sponges and bio-media in is when the bags start to deteriorate. If you have activated carbon inserts these are the only ones that should be changed every couple weeks. Carbon loses it's effectiveness rather quickly.

[TwoTankAmin]

Just rinse out the mechanical media well in a bucket of tank water. Mech media is normally a bad bacteria host since it clogs. most of your bacteria is in the bio media or other parts of the filter and tank which get better water and oxygen flows.

[Mgamer20o0]

i never toss anything unless its falling apart. i just wash everything iwth old tank water.