canister filter media change

[sansouci01]

I got my canister filter hooked up and running this weekend. Works great. My question is...how often do I change/replace the media inside? My bottom tray has a coarse sponge and filter floss. My top tray has ceramic rings and some of the established media from my old filter just to get things going. Also, now that the filter is so quiet, all I hear is my air pump. Any suggestions for a quiet air pump? Thanks

 

[GBHammbone]

I just wash it the filter pads when they get clogged. In old tank water of course. To quiet my old noisy air pumps i would tie a string to it and hang it from the inside of my stand so that it couldn't vibrate against anything. If its internal noise, maybe time for a new pump.