cleaning filter pads

[tbrock]

I have fluval 304 with 4 filter pads that have all gone from white to brown. I went to a fish store and got some new ones but the lady told me i should never replace them. She just said to rinse them out in water form my tank. I have been rinsing them of in hot tap water t get as much stuff out of them as i could. Am i doing it wrong?

[Jermz79]

I would just rinse them in some tank water when you do a water change ... HOT FW will kill the beneficial bacteria in the pads and then you start all over!