Changing aqua clear filter media

[Gunn]

How often should I be changing the filter media for an Aqua Clear 200 (running in a 20g tank) and a Aqua Clear 300 (Running in a 66g tank)?? How often for the sponge, and how often for the carbon packages? How often should they be cleaned as well? Currently I've been cleaning the sponge things about every week to week and a half I guess.

Thanks.

[OrionGirl]

Do you want to keep running the carbon? It's not required for most tanks--I don't run carbon all the time, but just when needed for a specific purpose (removing tannins or medications). Instead, I have 2 sponges in my AC's. I rinse them out with each water change (or more often if I have the time), and use the same one until it won't stay in place any longer, or has degraded enough that water flows around instead of through.

[roliva]

Agreed with the carbon. Don't need it unless you have to for getting rid of tannins, toxins, etc. I also use 2 sponges with a 1 inch layer of 'baby bumper batting (polyester) in between them to try to keep the top sponge clean so when I do my weekly cleaning of the sponges, I just rinse out the bottom sponge and batting only and then swap the position of the sponges.

[Gunn]

well, the filters are all relatively new... the carbon came with them, so i figured they should be run with them. I'll take them out though, as I don't really have a need for them.

how often should the sponges be replaced, though? mine 200 has bene running for 2 months (the sponge looks good enough still) and the 300 for about 2-3 weeks. I'm also running a Top Fin 60 in the 66g.

[got_nailed]

I have had the same sponges in my 200’s and 150’s for about a year I think. But there looking a bit old so I need to get some and replace one this month and one next month. I think there about $2 each so replacing them every month or week is not worth it.

I would use 2 sponges and replace them about ever 6 months a few weeks apart. Adding some pillow stuffing that’s polyester is also a good idea.

[daveedka]

how often should the sponges be replaced, though? mine 200 has bene running for 2 months (the sponge looks good enough still) and the 300 for about 2-3 weeks


I have had the same sponges in my 200’s and 150’s for about a year I think. But there looking a bit old so I need to get some and replace one this month and one next month

got_nailed hit it on the head, One of the great thing about sponges is the life span. just keep rinsing it out until it gets ratty looking, or gets to small to fit tightly in your filter and then replace it. Depending on your cleaning habits (I'm pretty rough on my sponges) they will last well over 6 months and usually over a year. You'll notice the wear , visual inspection will tell you when to change them.

[got_nailed]

They are way too small to fit. All the filtering is off some filter floss. The sponges are just floating in there. I did replace on sponge on each filter to hold the other one down for now. I guess I’ll change the other one in a few more months.