When to change filters

[basket440]

I have a marineland Bio-wheel + Power Filter Emperor 400 running on my 55 gallon tank. The tank is recently cycled and is a little more than 4 weeks old. My question is when should I change the filter. It says on the instructions every 2 - 4 weeks, however, I have read that most of the beneficial bacteria is on the filter (is that why there's a bio wheel maybe?). So should I change it now or wait since it is recently cycled?

 

[WinksFish]

Everything that we have read on here is that you don't change it until it is falling apart. Just rinse it out every so often in your tank water (before dumping).

 

[LyndaB]

I change mine about 3-4 times a year. Just rinse and repeat.

 

[carey]

Yep, keep it til it's absolutely not useful anymore. Just rinse in used tank water and keep on trucking.