Foam insert in Filter?

[thewarning]

On average how often do you clean the foam insert in your filter. And how is the best way to clean it? Also is there any reason ever to throw it out and replace it? I know it has beneficial bacteria on it so should you use it indefinitely?



Thank you

 

[jackiomy]

I rinse mine every month in tank water, You only throw it out if it is fallin apart.

 

[red_wall]

You can use it as long as you want! Replaceable foam inserts are the filter companies way of getting you to spend money on their products. You only need to replace it if it's falling apart (as jackiomy said).

Put the foam in a bucket full of tank water and squeeze it like that foam insert like it just killed your best friend. Squeeze it a lot, no amount of squeezing will hurt the bacteria in there. I'd say squeeze it till it's almost the same color as it was when you bought it haha. But really, squeeze it how ever much you want, just try to get out all the particles.

 

[hamsterman]

I agree. I rinse mine every month or two.

 

[stussy28]

What about if it contains the carbon?(like my penguin ones).

 

[centralharbor]

Buy filter material, rip off the old blue stuff, clean out the carbon, cut the filter material to the size of the plastic, wrap and tie fishing line to it, rinse it, put it back in the filter.

 

[rich311k]

I use my sponges except for the fine ones until they fall apart. I use floss in place of the fine pads, cheaper and does just as well.

 

[msjinkzd]

I rinse if I notice media bypass or slowing of the discharge, usually ever few weeks. I replace when they are super scummy and not rinsing out well, or if I am taking the media to seed yet another tank. For the insert cartridges, I don't even bother removing the carbon, i just treat them like I do the sponges, rinse as needed and replace when they fall apart. Just be sure you are rinsing in dechlorinated water or old tank water if you go bucket style.

 

[jeepn4x4]

I agree with everyone above. Rinse in tank water when needed.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I rinse most of mine weekly. You do not need to use tank water perse. What you do need to use is temp matched and dechlored water. Normally this is most easily obtained from the tank but this is not a requirement.