Filter Media Maintenence & Cycles

**JoeE** · 05-02-2012, 05:22 PM

I have been told before that it is not a good idea to replace your filter media too frequently since doing so can potentially get rid of beneficial bacteria, causing an unintentional cycle. I would just like a bit of clarification on how I should handle this.

My main filter is an Aquaclear 70. It has three pieces of filter media - a foam brick, an activated carbon filter, and a bag of ceramic BioMax pieces. My question is - how should I handle this? Should I keep all three pieces of my filter media for long periods of time without changing them, or should I regularly replace some of them? I figure the foam brick I can just wash out with old tank water during water changes a few times a month. I'm not sure how I should handle the activated carbon and Biomax media, though.

**Cliff** · 05-02-2012, 05:33 PM

I would suggest keeping the sponge and biomax until they start falling apart. I have some sponges and biomax that are now just over two years old and I can not see myself replacing them any time in the near future.

Carbon should be replaced about once a month. However, carbon is not always required in a filter unless you are wanting to remove something from your water. You could replace your carbon with more biomax

**Cermet** · 05-02-2012, 05:38 PM

Cliff is, as always, right on the money.

Relative to charcoal (carbon) it has some important uses but for general use, is a total waste of money. That said, always keep some on hand to remove organics like meds when the need arises.

Bio-filter is THE critical thing a filter does and as Clif says, use the extra volume that the charcoal was using for more bio-chips. Your fish will thank you