Filter change How Often?

[knowles_101]

ok guys I am a big newbie to the aquarium scene and I am loving it so far...never knew there was so much science in owning a fishtank!

Anyways Im in the middle of my fishless cycling and things are going as indicated in the cycling article. Anyways I had alot of dirt particles in my water because I added driftwood without cleaning and soaking it first so I have since rinced the drift wood and soaked it properly and done a few water changes. When I look at the filter there is a slight brown tint to it, I was just wondering if I should rinse it or will that destrop my or disrupt my cycling?

And how often should a filter be changed and when you change it do you have to restart your cycle?

For reference I have a Top Fin Power Filter 30 that came with my 29 Gallon tank.

Thanks

 

[midnightmadman]

If you can, rinse the filter in some of the tank water. Take a large bowl or something and get some water from the tank.. and rinse it in that.

 

[pbrack]

I'm not too sure if my method is 100% fail-proof, but it has worked for me. First of all, I rarely use carbon, and when I do, I simply put it in a nylon sock in the filter chamber. Second of all, I cut the filter (the pad, not the plastic support) in two, then every week, I alternate in replacing one of the halves.

Not sure if this makes any sense to you all...hope this helps though

 

[YuccaPatrol]

I have Emperor units on all my aquariums, and I rinse the filter pads with the kitchen sink sprayer when they get all mucky. I just don't do all of them at the same time. I re-use them for several months at least before I replace them, and I am considering just removing the carbon that I think is clogging them up the most and using them as long as the filter media holds up.

 

[joephys]

I have the same set up. I change the filter bag but use the same frame, and just throw the new frame away. I haven't had to recycle at all doing this. I think most of the good bacteria is in the gravel and decorations anyway. I personally also add a filter sponge to my intake to give more room for the bacteria to grow.

 

[rrkss]

I have a penguin 200 biowheel. Most of my good bacteria is in the biowheel so all I do is blast the cartridge clean with a high pressure hose and put it back in the tank good as new. I only replace the cartridge maybe once every 3 months if I feel like it.