Should you ever replace a filter or just clean it out?

[LauraFishwhiz]

Really confused if i should be changing my filter or not? I have had the current filter foam in since i started the tank around 3 months ago (1 month fishless cycle )

Should i just rinse? as would be loosing beneficial bacteria if changed completely?

How necessary is it to have the carbon in the filter? i removed to treat ich and have not yet replaced

Thank you!

 

[Brookster123]

Ring out sponge in bucket of tank water or treated water. Discard carbon( only.lasts a month) and any woven or floss media. What type of filter.

 

[LauraFishwhiz]

i have a tetra 54 litre tank and it came with the filter. i unclipped the filter and removed all the carbon when treating the tank do i just replace this with loose carbon?

i should only rinse the filter media then rather than replacing the whole thing?

 

[LauraFishwhiz]

its a tetra easy crystal filter

 

[Brookster123]

If you're going to run carbon get a leash bag, not loose. Just rinse and re-use. If you discard you'll lose the cycle. What are all the components of the filter? Post a pic?

 

[Caliban07]

You keep the sponge as mentioned. manufacturers want you to buy new to make money.

 

[LauraFishwhiz]

grr it won't let me post pics on here. its a green filter bag which i clip onto a hook and it goes in the box on the side of my tank along with my heater. I cut open the bag when treating ich to discard the carbon inside.

I'm assuming i can replace with any activated carbon pieces for fish tanks.

 

[Brookster123]

Ok, in familiar with that. You'll want to keep the bag. I'd suggest gettong a piece of foam and altering it to fit, lose the green frame. Leave the old bag crammed in there for a month than discard and use only the foam