Changing Filter?!?!?

[corykid]

Hey guys as some of u know i have a 10g tank that i got a while ago, and i was just wonderin i have read a bit here and a bit there about changing the media in ur filter is bad, so what i wanna know is when i do have to change my filter for the first time what do i do ?!?!?

P.S. i know it has somethin to do wit the good bacteria

[sumthin fishy]

Never change it unless it is falling appart(mabey after 5-10 years) If you do need to change it, put the new filter in WITH the old filter for a week or 2 before you remove the old one. That is where all your good bacteria live and you dont want to have to cycle your tank again.

[corykid]

Never change it unless it is falling appart(mabey after 5-10 years) If you do need to change it, put the new filter in WITH the old filter for a week or 2 before you remove the old one. That is where all your good bacteria live and you dont want to have to cycle your tank again.


Srry i did not make my question very clear my bad i meen like when ya gotta clean the media like the sponge and cardon inserts.

srry bout that thanks everyone!

[sumthin fishy]

when you clean it, just swish the old one in your old tank water from your WC, or use clean dechlorinated water, then re-use the old filter.

[corykid]

when you clean it, just swish the old one in your old tank water from your WC, or use clean dechlorinated water, then re-use the old filter.


OOOO k thanks alot for the quick responses lol ....... i thought that i had to like buy new media for my filter everytime i have to change it but i get what ya meen now thats alot !

[Mgamer20o0]

after a week or two the carbon isnt active anymore anways. i would put a extra spong or something. like sumthin fishy said only if its falling apart then it need to be changed. most of the tanks good bacteria lives in the filter on the spongs and other stuff in there. if you get a new one your tank will have a mini cycle as it builds the bacteria back up.