nasty filter packets

[wataugachicken]

lately (past 6 weeks or so) my filter cartridges have been gettting really gross.

i have two filters on my 10g so i switch the cartridges out at alternate times (switch one, wait 2-3 weeks, switch the other). when i put a new one in, it gets clogged with brown gunk within a week. in the past they would last 4-5 weeks and there would be more green algae on them. it seems like there is a lot of brown algae inside of the filters that waves in the water, and i've thoroughly cleaned both of them to get rid of the slime to no avail. it comes right back. however, there is zero algae inside of the tank.

instead of switching them every week when they get clogged, i've been using my fishtank toothbrush to scrub them a bit and get the sludge layer off so they last longer.

what exactly am i dealing with? and how do i get it to quit?

[Kasakato]

Chances are its diatoms or brown algae. It is normally caused by low light, and too much nitrates. New tanks also normally has an out break of brown algae too. How old is the tank? Normally it will go away by it self after a while.

Instead of replacing them every few weeks it will be better to just wash them off. Using old tank water, swish the media in it to get off all of the gunk.

[wataugachicken]

tank is about 7 months old. i had to get a new hood awhile ago and the new one doesn't get any light in the filter area. also the clown pleco is a fairly new addition, maybe the algae is just a result of the mini cycle. i do 10%-20% changes 2x a week though.

[Kasakato]

Try doing 50% 2x a week. It maybe the nitrates.