Is it going to matter if I remove the filter cartridge from my filter for a week while I do the Melafix once a day? The cartridge is a polyfiber pad with the activated carbon in it. Melafix says remove the carbon if possible, well it isnt unless I take the whole thing out.
When adding any sort of midication you need to remove the carbon from thr filtration system. If you don't the carbon will remove the medication from your water as it absorbs all the 'imputities'
Yes remove it but leave the sponges in front of it, if you have one. The melafix will create bubbles and cause an over flow of the filter if you have good surface agitation. That being said you want as much flow as possible as well. The carbon is chemical filtration and the fiberfil is mechanical. Most filters have some sort of Biological filtration so f=removing the carbon cartridge wont impact the filtration much at all.
I threw away the old filter and cut open a new filter, removed the carbon and put it back in. Added Melafix. Fish arent acting too wierd yet. Will continue until day seven.
If you threw away the old filter, then you might go through a mini-cycle. Watch your water parameters and make sure that you don't get any Nitrite or Ammonia spikes. Good luck
BTW, if you don't have two HOB filters, I think rbishop once recommended that I "float" my old filter in the tank while I put a new filter in the HOB. That way the beneficial bacteria is still in the tank while the new filter is being introduced.
