Filter Media Changes - How often

I have a Top Fin HOB from Petsmart, not sure the model, but it is the one that is recommended for my tank size. It has cartridges that say to be replaced every 3-4 weeks, but am I concerned about changing it and upsetting the cyling. My 10 G has just finished its cycle and is stable, I hate to upset it again.
 
TheZoo said:
Wait until you have finished cycling, then you can rinse your filter cartridges out ina container of tank water. Do this every other water change, or maybe alternate cartridges every change (if you have more than one in your filter). Replacing them all out will loose some of your bacterial colony. If you do need to replace one thats falling apart, put the new one in the filter for awhile, so you can get some goodies growing on it, before you toss the old one. Carbon is useful for removing toxins but otehrwise unnessesary, but not harmful.
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dont change out your filter media unless its falling apart
 
does the top fin use a filter/cartridge similar to the whisper?

if so you can rinse them out too...turns out that the whispers can be disassembled I have a topfin for a 10..I replaced it with an AC..the ac can be set up tp accept several different filter medias.

I realized that the topfin i have has a filter similar to the whisper and was able to disassemble it..I rinse the cartrridge and dumped the carbon(even tho bacteria can colonize on the carbon)
 
Yes I do have filter/cartridges for mine. I was wondering if I couldn't just forego those and stick a sponge in the filter area like was mentioned above?
 
joylynn said:
Yes I do have filter/cartridges for mine. I was wondering if I couldn't just forego those and stick a sponge in the filter area like was mentioned above?
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yup, people use lots of stuff as media in their filters. Just make sure its not a household cleaning sponge with that antibaterial gunk in it! You can get big pieces of aquarium sponge at LFS, cut it down and use that. Cheap and works great!
 
I think you should go to your LFS and have them call Tetra and order you a Bio-Foam retro fit kit for the Whisper model 10. Also, I would change my media. I have a TopFin and I use Tetra Bio Bags. Buy a 12 pack. The more you buy, the cheaper the unit price is. A 12 pack is usually around $12. You should use Medium sized Bio-Bags from the LFS or Medium Sized cartridges from Wal Mart.
 
as you can see, everyones got a differnet way of doing things! For me money is a big factor, so I cant justify bying the readymade cartridges every few weeks when foam refills work just as well and last a long time. Find what works for you...
 
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