How often to change the filter?

[mekkha]

Hi everyone. I set up my tank a few months ago and it has finally finished cycling (hurrah!). I have an aquaclear filter that has been running all this time. How often should it be changed? I know all three parts should never be changed at the same time, but was just wondering what you guys suggest.

My tank is still axie-less for now but I just want to make sure it is all ready for him/her when its ready to come home in a month or so.

Thanks!
Melissa

 

[carsona246]

congrats on finishing cycling, I'm not sure what kind of media that uses, but if it has 3 media components you probably only want to change out the mechanical filtration when the flow starts to slow down. I usually rinse my hob filter cartridges in old tank water, and stick them right back in. As long as the flow is fine you probably don't have to replace the mechanical. If it's a canister filter I switch my mechanical filtration whenever I notice the flow starting to slow.

 

[Shizeric]

Is it a canister filter? If it is..change the carbon and rinse the filter pad monthly. You never really have to change any sort of ceramic media..just rinse it if you want (usually doesn't have to be done).

 

[mekkha]

Thanks! Yes it has the 3 parts so I get confused as to exactly what type of filter it is! It has mechanical, chemical and biological filtration. It has a sponge, then a carbon filter and then the ceramic cube like things.

So just to make sure I have this right... I would change the actual carbon filter and rinse the sponge and ceramic cube things in the water correct?

 

[carsona246]

rinsing the ceramic cubes in old tank water wouldn't hurt anything, but I don't think it would really help. Ideally all your beneficial bacteria is on the cubes, so I usually just let mine be. If you can I'd switch out the carbon for more biological filtration or mechanical