changing filters

[flutterbye75]

okay, im a little confused when it comes to changing the filters in a fish tank...I clean the filters when they are very dirty by shaking them out with the tank water that I just took out of the tank. How do I change the filter totally without the tanks cycling again, or does it matter? How long do people go without changing their filters?

 

[WinterWind]

Changing the whole filter unit itself or just the filter media?

 

[Kasakato]

You cut the old media in half, and stick half in the trass, and half back in the filter. Leave that to run for 2 weeks. When thats up take out the old stuff and there you have it!

 

[anonapersona]

Depends on the filter

If you have the replaceable cartidges, like penguin or similar, tear the fabric off the old one and cut a small bit, maybe an inch or so, then put that upstream of the new one.

Actually, you can even skip that if you do not clean the body of the filter at the same time you change the cartridge, for the bacteria coating the inlte tube and body of the filter will populate the new cartridge pretty quick.

With a whisper, you can cut some of the old fabric of the old bag and stuff it into the new bag, skipping the carbon unless you just want to polish the water to sparkling.

In general, do not clean tubing and replace media at the same time.

With sponges, you typically keep them for along, long time. If you must replace, just cut a small chunk and put upstream if you think you need to.

 

[flutterbye75]

good thanks...i thought it was time to change the media. I took a piece of the fabric and put it upstream of the new one. I had to change media in both 10g. Fry in one, and guppies and mollies in other. I did not clean the filter box itself. Thanks for your help :clap: