Replacing media filter...

[KimmiA]

I have an AquaClear 30gal (max) filter for my 10g. I have 2 female guppies and a few ghost shrimp as the stock. The instructions included with my filter tells me I should replace the corse sponge every month, the carbon every 2 months, and the BB bag every 3.

Does anyone actually do that? I normally swish out solids out my sponge when I do water changes, but I'm curious about the BB and carbon. If I get new bags of each, will it pull my tank into something like a mini cycle? Or will it be okay?

 

[Hholly]

No, don't do it. They just want to sell you stuff.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

You won't ever need to replace the biomedia bag. The sponge maybe every few years (when its falling apart) and the carbon every month. If it where me I'd replace the carbon with biomedia or more sponge. Carbon isn't needed in a healthy tank so replacing it monthly is a waste if time IMO.

To clean do exactly what your doing. Swish in a bucket of tank water to remove all the build up.