Filter maint.

[Bmac1972]

Hey all... Need some advice from the experts in here... Have a Rena filstar xp... Using foam (20 & 30 ppi...micro pad...bio chem stars... And bio Chem zorb... My question is how often do I change media?... I know to change bio chem zorb once a month... And the stars I just rinse with tank water...searched the web and really couldn't find one answer... Would like to here feedback from the pros in here... Thanks

 

[bootchman]

i have the same filter and i just rinse the 20 and 30 ppi each time i do filter maintance. i only replace those pads once they start to fall apart which is about every 6-7 months for me or longer. also get some filter floss to use on the top instead of the micro pad. it does the same thing and you can get a sack for about 7 bucks that will last you years.

 

[MMantelli]

I have one also love it I rince the foam, change the floss monthly and the bio chem zorb should be good for 2 months though. I hardly rince the stars I put floss before and after them.

 

[Bmac1972]

Thanks for the input.... Great idea about the floss!!... One more question... When I do change the foam... Do I change both at the same time.. Or only one at a time to keep bacteria going in the filter?....

 

[MMantelli]

Thanks for the input.... Great idea about the floss!!... One more question... When I do change the foam... Do I change both at the same time.. Or only one at a time to keep bacteria going in the filter?....

I usually take the cleaner one rinse it out in old tank water and put it where the nastier one was then put a new one in Its place don't forget the filstar flows from bottom to top. I almost pit everything in backwards when I first got it then double checked thank god.

 

[Bmac1972]

Thanks!

 

[MMantelli]

Thanks!

No problem.

 

[Tetra1990]

Change one at a time. I swish my media in old tank water about once a month to get some of the bigger crud out. And yes, really only change media when it's falling apart and even then, I leave some of it in the filter to make 100% sure that I have good bb. Call it overkill but i don't care.

 

[Bmac1972]

Thanks for the reply