hould I change the filter media every 2-4 weeks???

[Batmanjay28]

I have for the last year or so been changing the filter media very month or so. I heard yesterday that this is not great to do. Should you change it every month? I was told that you should actually leave it in there for as long as you can, it that true. I would like to know because after spending about $100 a year for my 5 tanks I think I would like to know. What should you do? Change them out every month or just wash off the crap off of the media in a bucket of your tank water? And if I need to change them how many times a year do I need to? thanks

[Mgamer20o0]

save the money. sponge in the filter i never change unless its falling apart. i dont use carbon and i use floss also in my tank which is a couple bux at walmart for a big bag.

http://www.michaels.com/online/images/product/thumb/nw0200.jpg

[johnlarson66]

If and when the flow is too slow, rinse it in water in a bucket FROM your fish tank. This way you do not kill any of the "good" stuff in it.

I have multiple filters and if I replace or do anything more than a rinse, I just do one at a time.

[Batmanjay28]

save the money. sponge in the filter i never change unless its falling apart. i dont use carbon and i use floss also in my tank which is a couple bux at walmart for a big bag.

http://www.michaels.com/online/images/product/thumb/nw0200.jpg

what you do with the floss? Do you add into your sponge in your filter? Is I don't need to change the filter media ever? well unless it falls apart? Thats awesome

[Mgamer20o0]

it gives extra mechanical filtration. i add it above or below the sponge.

[BucJason]

well what kind of filter is it??? A sponge insert isn't meant to be changed because it's where most of your beneficial bacteria will live. It's only purpose is usually biological filtration. If you also have a carbon containing insert, that needs to be changed once a month because the activated carbon will stop working after that and be useless. The insert will probably also get clogged with dirt and small particles so the least you should do is wash it off.