filter question

[hartman57]

how often should i change my carbon cartridge in my cascade 300 filter!!! ihave a 45 gallon mixed cichild tank!!!!
also my water seems to be a little cloudy and i placed this stuff called cycle in it but it didnt seem to work. i didt a water change last week and cleaned the waste.
thanks

 

[Menagerie]

What are the water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)? What kind of cichlids are you keeping? How many cichlids do you have in that tank? Carbon becomes in active after a few weeks. I don't use carbon in my tanks. With regular water changes, the water stays clear and water parameters in check.

 

[hartman57]

my nitrites are a little high but the cycle stuff i was told will take care of that.. otherwise i am not exactly sure what the names of the fish are but i have 6 medium to small ciclids and one eletic catfish. my ph is low but i think that it could be because of the nitrites

 

[BASSNMAN]

In my experience, most of the additives except live bacteria, like biospira, are a waste of money. I would try weekly water changes, vacing every other change.

 

[chasgood]

I dont use carbon either. Fill the space with more mechanical filter media if you can. Floss is my favorite. Keeps the water nice and clear.