Change The Filter Time

[scrumpot]

I have failed to change the filters and the charcoal thingys at the top of the tubes at the back of the tank. Nothing bad has happened yet, but I am trying to stay on top of that. I understand about the nitrate, nitrite stuff. My tank is 55 gallons. You might remember me. I am the dumb girl who got the balas. Anyway...........

My filter is the hang on the back of the tank style. It has two bags/pillows that hang in the back. I have rinsed them a couple of times, but I think it might be time to replace them.

Here is my question/theory. If they control the water quality, won't it be better for the water and the fish to change only one of those bag/pillow things at a time and not both of them.

My water is still good. I am taking out about 5 or 6 gallons every week or so (give or take some days). Not too much algae. I got a placostomus for that. He is doing okay. The balas bug him a little, but not much.

Just want to bounce my theory off you guys, before I go screwing up my water. Ideas?

[Lady Hobbs]

Question is, is the tank fully cycled? If it isn't fully cycled, then do not change the filters. If they are very messy, rinse them off in used fish water. If your tank is cycled but is a brand new cycle, you can change out one at a time.

My tanks are well cycled and I do water changes and change both filters the same time but being well cycled is totally different than a new cycle.

[scrumpot]

Surely it has cycled fully by now. I have had is set up for almost 3 months.

[Sin]

you should change the activated carbon once a month reguardless it will help keep your tank crystal clean..i used to have the same type of filter you had in my hexagon tank. . good luck with the fishes : )

[jeffs99dime]

there's no need for carbon unless removing meds from the aquarium

[Incredulous_Ed]

What you should do to those filter cartridges is changes the one on the left every two weeks, and change the one on the right side every twoo weeks. This way there is never an old cartridge. Don't rinse he filter media with tap water. The chlorine will kill the benficial bacteria. Instead you can rinse them with the water you take out at water changes.

[Sin]

there's no need for carbon unless removing meds from the aquarium
hey Jeff ...you know i am going to ask you why , right? lol...i do understand the removing meds from the tank....but why not have carbon during normal times the tank is up and running?

[scrumpot]

Well, I just changed both filters. Now I think I may be sorry. I like the change one every other week idea. Hopefully, nothing bad is going to happen. We will see.

[jeffs99dime]

hey Jeff ...you know i am going to ask you why , right? lol...i do understand the removing meds from the tank....but why not have carbon during normal times the tank is up and running?

because carbon absorbs vital minerals from the water column. this is especially crucial in a planted tank

[jifr]

Sooooooo....

This might be a really dumb question from a newbie....

I have a magnum filter (and my tank is not planted with live plants). I change the activated carbon about once a month.....

If I don't use carbon...........

what am I supposed to use for filtration?

The magnum came with another odd looking filter thingy but....it said to use that for "water polishing"....

Sorry if this is a really dumb question....but I always appreciate everyone's feedback/input.

Thankies.

[sergo]

i cut my filters open and took the charcoal out. i'm gonna' look for some without carbon when i get ready to change them in about 3 weeks. my filters are for the hang on back style if that helps you out.

[jeffs99dime]

i cut my filters open and took the charcoal out. i'm gonna' look for some without carbon when i get ready to change them in about 3 weeks. my filters are for the hang on back style if that helps you out.

foster and smith carries them

[Incredulous_Ed]

i cut my filters open and took the charcoal out. i'm gonna' look for some without carbon when i get ready to change them in about 3 weeks. my filters are for the hang on back style if that helps you out.
What I do is just rinse the filters in dechlorinated water and change them as soon as they get too dirty or they fall aqpart