Changing Filter Media
- Thread starter Randy
- Start date
Yes. Filter media must be changed (or cleaned) periodically, and some of your beneficial bacteria live on this media.
Whether you change or rinse your media depends on what type of filter you have and what type of media you're running in that filter.
Sponges can be rinsed in tank water (or de chlorinated water) and reinstalled in the filter. Sponges can last almost forever - at some point they may begin to physically fall apart, but they can normally be used for years before this happens. Filter floss can either be rinsed or replaced. Carbon is only effective for a few days anyway, so that can just be thrown away. Other bio-media (like ceramic noodles, bio balls, etc.) can also be rinsed and re-used indefinitely. Slip-in cartridges can be rinsed too, but many people just replace them for convenience.
Even if you replace the filter media, you'll likely have enough bacteria on the gravel, plants, decorations, etc. to keep from having a mini-cycle. How long has your tank been set up?
Lastly, Big Al's online prices are great compared to what I find in stores here in California
Whether you change or rinse your media depends on what type of filter you have and what type of media you're running in that filter.
Sponges can be rinsed in tank water (or de chlorinated water) and reinstalled in the filter. Sponges can last almost forever - at some point they may begin to physically fall apart, but they can normally be used for years before this happens. Filter floss can either be rinsed or replaced. Carbon is only effective for a few days anyway, so that can just be thrown away. Other bio-media (like ceramic noodles, bio balls, etc.) can also be rinsed and re-used indefinitely. Slip-in cartridges can be rinsed too, but many people just replace them for convenience.
Even if you replace the filter media, you'll likely have enough bacteria on the gravel, plants, decorations, etc. to keep from having a mini-cycle. How long has your tank been set up?
Lastly, Big Al's online prices are great compared to what I find in stores here in California
What kind of filter do you have.
And the Big Al's prices are incredible to the prices of stuff around here. I just got 2 emperor 400 filters from them for $36.99 each as opposed to the $79.99 each at my LFS. I also got 2 tronic 200 watt heaters for $17.99 each while thay are at my LFS for about $30 each.
And the Big Al's prices are incredible to the prices of stuff around here. I just got 2 emperor 400 filters from them for $36.99 each as opposed to the $79.99 each at my LFS. I also got 2 tronic 200 watt heaters for $17.99 each while thay are at my LFS for about $30 each.
Hi gcvt,
I did not know that carbon only lasted a few days. Is this true. And if so, what is the best way to use carbon? How often should it be replaced?
Thanks,
Eager
I did not know that carbon only lasted a few days. Is this true. And if so, what is the best way to use carbon? How often should it be replaced?
Thanks,
Eager
Carbon does not last very long. I believe it lasts about a week and from what i have read its best use is for removing medications from your tank water, so probably not wise to use if your treating your fish with meds. However, Good to use to remove those meds after treatment
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Carbon will also remove some of the chemicals from your tapwater (NOT chlorine or chloramines, though). If you're concerned that your tapwater might have dissolved organic material, unwanted chemicals, or minerals, it might be good for helping to remove them (kind of like filtering your water you drink...pUr water filters primarily use carbon to remove the "chemical" smell from your drinking water.) This is best done with a newer tank, as after the cycle is established, beneficial bacteria will take care of most of these problems with or without the presense of carbon. (Thereby making the carbon more or less unneccessary).
Carbon is only "active" for a couple of days, tops. After that, it's a nice little hiding place for good bacteria, so it's not a terrible idea to use it, just remove it before medicating your tank, even if it's been there a while. Carbon will still adsorb (yep, different from absorb) some chemicals even if it's not "fizzy" anymore, although new carbon is more effective at it.
Carbon is only "active" for a couple of days, tops. After that, it's a nice little hiding place for good bacteria, so it's not a terrible idea to use it, just remove it before medicating your tank, even if it's been there a while. Carbon will still adsorb (yep, different from absorb) some chemicals even if it's not "fizzy" anymore, although new carbon is more effective at it.