Filter Problem

[Fishperson]

How do I change my filter without causing a mini cycle?
I have a tetra whisper ex30 filter on my 20H. Do I just swish the medium in water. And how often? The company says every month. I have been told by others only when it is falling apart pretty much? Help please!

 

[maxwellag]

Yeah, you really only need to replace the media if it is literally falling apart. If you are losing too much flow from the filter being dirty, just swish it around in water or squeeze it in the water (old tank water). You could avoid causing a mini cycle by adding more biomedia in the filter (shoving a sponge in the space in the filter works) so that when you clean the media, you leave some beneficial bacteria in there.

 

[Fishperson]

Ok, if it is really dark brownish, but not causing any problems, should I just leave it?