Changing filter media

[Brettyd]

What is good practice when it comes to changing the media in a canister filter?

Want to change to fine filter as its old and falling apart when I wash it. Should I just put a hand full back in to keep my bacteria?

 

[TMaier]

Rule of thumb I follow is to never change more than 30% every 2 weeks.

 

[Slade]

Filter floss of fine filter, change with every cleaning. With a canister that should be between 2-4 months.
Bio media and coarse sponges, rinse well in tank water and reuse.

 

[Brettyd]

Really, thought it was almost a godly sin to regularly change a filters media.

I've been rinsing every thing in tank water for the last year and a half. Will it have much affect my tanks cycle

 

[TMaier]

Really, thought it was almost a godly sin to regularly change a filters media.

I've been rinsing every thing in tank water for the last year and a half. Will it have much affect my tanks cycle

I agree. The only time I change it is if it is falling apart or is being replaced.

 

[abw0004]

I have a Fluval 206, and I clean my filter out every 4-6 weeks. I have not replaced any media inside the canister yet and it has been 4 months. Every 6 months I will change out the filter floss. What I do (just did it yesterday actually) is I rinse everything off get get the debris out of there. The fine filter floss I have I squeeze the floss under running water (like a kitchen sponge getting the leftover soap out of it). I make sure everything stays wet though and never let anything stay in contact with air for long. Then I put it all back together. Never had an ammonia spike once, even with the filter off for 2 hours.