When to change filter cartridge in freshwater aquarium?
by Aquaboy on Monday, March 29th, 2010 | 6 Comments
I am aware that filters contain good bacteria necessary for a healthy aquarium but I am unsure about when I should change the cartridge.
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When the cartridge becomes too clogged, just rinse it off with dechlorinated or ro water. Then exchange it for a new one maybe every month or every other month. The directions usually say every 2-4 weeks, but you can go longer than that if you rinse it.
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EDIT: Gary – from my experience, I always rinsed them the other direction than the water normally flows and scrubbed them lightly with a toothbrush. This allowed me to use them for a couple months instead of what the directions said. Saves a ton of money, too.
You should change it when it is covered in filth and leftover food or when algae starts to grow in your tank.
Change them when they get clogged, and rinsing the filter will not unclog them.
Super activated carbon can go for longer than 1 month. The carbon stays active for at least 3 months(quality brands at least). You should wash the cartridge in the aquarium water when you do your water changes. just pour some of the aquarium water in a clean bucket and wash the cartridge in that water so do you don’t kill off the bacteria.
A typical filter cartridge should last about three weeks, but the number and kind of fish you have, the foods and medications you have been using, and whether you want to remove a yellow tint in your aquarium water caused by tannins released from driftwood or peat moss, can change that rough estimate.Some fish are messy eaters like oscars. Others produce lots of slime that taxes the filter, such as discus and fancy goldfish. The foam part can last longer, and you know it’s clogged when the water in thefilterr bypasses around it. The floss part if you’re careful, can also be reused several times but it’s oftendelicatee.Activated carbon will be the first to go. Depending on how much chlorine, how much dissolved organic material, and if you used medication, charcoal could be used up in as short as a few hours.
When you do your weekly water changes rinse your media in the water you removed from the tank when your media will no longer spring back to shape and stays covered in gunk change it.