cleaning aquaclear HOB filter question

[wigglejaggles]

Hey Now,

Well I have had my 10 gallon running since 12/17 and I have rinse out the sponge twice, and I have taken one sponge out and put in the carbon that came with it. Right now the original sponge has been in there since 12/17 and the carbon since mid january.
I am so scared to touch anything in the filter because I do not want to disrupt the bacteria. MY tank is perfectly cycled, and is doing very well. I have rinsed the sponge as I said before in old tank water after a change.
I know its about time I put a new sponge in there. I guess what I am asking is...if I take out the carbon and put in a new sponge will I kill off to much bacteria? Do I put the new sponge on the bottom and the old sponge on the top?

Ok silly questions I know, but I have never done it before.

thanks

take care,
Jared

[Doublette90]

Unless your sponge is falling apart just continue to rinse it. They last a long time (I have one that's coming up to a year old, and I have heard of people using them longer). If the time ever comes that you do need to replace it, run two sponges in there for a month or two before you take the old one out.

[jacksmom]

Are you saying I shouldn't be changing my filter everytime I do a water change or it looks gross? Cause that is what I do. Oops.

[kveeti]

Agree with Doublette... I think my oldest AC sponges are about 6 years old... the others are 1-1/2 years, when I stopped using carbon and started using 2 sponges in each filter.

wigglejaggles, the nature of carbon is that it does have to be replaced on occasion, you will not lose that much bacteria if your sponge is there. If you are getting a second sponge, I guess I would put it on bottom. I usually rinse out my top sponge really, really well, put it on the bottom and rinse out the bottom sponge quickly and put it on top, then the next week, reverse them again.

jacksmom - Just rinse out sponges in old tank water or treated water and put it back in.

[NJ Devils Fan]

wigglejaggles, you don't need to put carbon in your filter unless you are trying to rid your tank of medicine. It only lasts for about a week anyway. I don't have carbon in my filters and my tank doesn't smell like people say it does without carbon. About once a month or so, wash the entire filter with regular tap water.(except for the sponge of course.;) )

[wigglejaggles]

thanks guys!

wow thats good news to me...I am going to take the carbon out and put in another sponge, and then just rinse the old sponge once again, and leave it at that.
I had no idea those sponges last so long. Thanks again!

take care,
jared

[virangos]

Just had to add my two cents worth.
Two sponges, way to go. I do as Kevitti says only I don't rinse the second sponge at all. Just reverse them every month.
Have been running three tanks on ac with two sponges for about 5 years now and no problems. No carbon either and no smell.
Good luck;)

[fishdude]

i remeber when i payed alot just to have clean carbon in my tank all the time till i saw the light!! of 2 sponges