Filter media

**tropfish** · 06-23-2007, 10:32 PM

When do you guys change your filter material. I have a hang on the back one and i change the catridge and activated carbon once a month. i udnno much about other types but how often do u guys change your media no matter what type of filter it is.

**tropfish** · 06-23-2007, 10:32 PM

just curious

**Drumachine09** · 06-23-2007, 10:33 PM

I will very rarley change my filter cartridges. Usually, i just swoosh it around in the tank water to unclog it and replace it back in the filter. I dont really care too much about the carbon.

**tropfish** · 06-23-2007, 10:35 PM

what type of filter do you have? same one as mine right?

**Drumachine09** · 06-23-2007, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by tropfish

what type of filter do you have? same one as mine right?

HOBs. :28: :28: :28:

**Rue** · 06-23-2007, 11:04 PM

...I rinse everything out when I do water changes...I've gone from every 2 weeks (30 % on the 25g) to every week (10 % on the 25g and on the 55g, 30-50% on the 10g and 25l)...

Carbon should be changed every 2-4 weeks...but I'm not that fussy...so I go every 6 weeks or so...but do change it before it starts producing ammonia...as it might if it gets too much gunk in it as well...(along with being 'used up')

**cocoa_pleco** · 06-23-2007, 11:38 PM

i never touch my filter cartridges. however, if the tank were to get a major parasite infection, which has never happened, id change it all. i never change cartridges anymore

**Lady Hobbs** · 06-24-2007, 01:59 AM

I only use carbon when setting up a new tank. Other than that, I only use floss. I would also use it in the event I had to medicate the tank.

Those cartridges are too expensive IMO to change out every couple of weeks and two weeks is about all the amount of time the carbon is useful.

**A340** · 06-24-2007, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

I only use carbon when setting up a new tank. Other than that, I only use floss. I would also use it in the event I had to medicate the tank.

Maybe I understood your post wrong, but if you're medicating a tank, shouldn't you be taking the carbon out?

As for me, I'll usually rinse the filter out once a month or so, just to get the gunk out and keep the motor runnnig at a decent performance. I still use carbon, but I guess with a blanted tank, I'll be taking it out.

**zackish** · 06-26-2007, 06:36 PM

I would rinse the actual sponge around the bio-bag and you can buy carbon replacement but I would keep the white sponge type thing because that is what is holding all your bacteria in a regular HOB power filter.