SmallWorld Pump and Filter Kit

[Molly Lover]

Hi!
I got the SmallWorld Pump and Filter Kit to filter my 5 gallon Molly tank, and it has been running for about a month now, and the water is sort of cloudy. I did a 30% water change today, and the water got a little murkier. After that, I took out the filter cartridge (sponge on the bottom, carbon on the top), only to find that the sponge was yellow! Is it good bacteria, or poo and other aquarium debris?? Should I buy more "refill cartridges", or leave the current one in? I am going to WalMart Saturday (where I bought the filter starter pack), to buy Algae Wafers for my mollies. Should I buy new cartridges or not?
Help!
PS-I really want Domino and Missy (my two mollies) to live in clean, filtered, clear water

[Molly Lover]

I have read that if you change your filter media, you will need to re-cycle your tank. Is this true?

[Lady10Godiva]

I have one of these filters on a snail tank I have. My plan is to pry the refill open so I can rinse out the sponge in some tank water and then put something else in the top half. I have a few spare refill in case taking it apart doesnt go well. If you replace the whole thing the tank will cycle again. Good luck.

[imma24]

I have read that if you change your filter media, you will need to re-cycle your tank. Is this true?

Yes - if your filter cartridge really falls apart, you would then need to put a new one in the container WITH the old one to seed it with bacteria from the old one before you can throw the old one out.

The color of the cartridge is no indication that you need to replace it - if it gets gunky, just rinse in used tank water but while your tank is cycling there is no need to do that yet. Just be very careful how much you are feeding your fish because excess food can rot and add to your ammonia level as well as gunk up your filter.

Most of the bacteria needed to maintain your cycle resides in your filter media so replacing it means you have to start from scratch growing bacteria again.