changing filters

[abelh7]

i have a 55 gallon and i was wondering how often do i change the filter inserts in the filter? i have just a basic hang on the back power filter, and i was also wondering how to change them since the beneficial bacteria has already built up in the filter if i replace with new filters does that affect the environment. another question is when you do water changes do you just add dechlorinator or add other stuff too like ph buffer. should i just dechlorinate and then test the water? i know these sound like dumb question but my pet store knows as much as i do almost everything they goes against what i have been reading on this forum i just want to learn everything over.

 

[leafs]

I would only change one insert at a time. If you change them all at once, you'll be getting rid of all that good bacteria. I have an Aquaclear filter and I rarely change the sponge. When I do clean it, about once a month I just rinse it out gently in the water that I take out of the tank. I was also told that the carbon inserts don't help too much, so I'm going to be using two sponges instead of one and maybe the ammonia insert. When I do my water changes, I just make sure the temp. is the same and add de-chlorinator. I'm new to this but, I hope this helps.

 

[abelh7]

thanks so much for your info i didnt know that fish didnt like that aquarium salt, i wonder why it is even on the shelf? well if anyone has anything else they want to add go ahead.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Only naked cats, such as corydoras, have adverse effects when salt is in the tank. Salt can be used to boost immune systmes of fish that tolerate it, and is a must for osmoregulation to work properly in saltwater and brackish water fish.

 

[Ahmad]

Hiya!


Like leafs said I rarely chnage my filters aswell but when I do, this is how I do it.
I clean the old filters with water from the tank and then cut off the sponge cartridge and throw away the carbon and everything else. Then I just put in the new filter pads in the filter with the peice of the old one that has been cleaned with the tank water and put both of them in the filter. This will cause the bacteria from the old piece of filter to migrate to the new one. Plus you did not lose any Bio-Bugs! So no worries of a cycle crash.

Oh and....Just dechlorinate the new water coming in to the tank. Ph buffers do worse than good. So unless your water in the tank is way diffrent than they tap water then dont use Ph buffers.

Hope this helped!

 

[Gunnie]

If you have filter inserts that you just slide in your HOB filter, I wouldn't change them until they are falling apart. I used to change my about once a month until I started reading it wasn't necessary. I just swish them in old tank water to knock the loose gunk off, and put them back in. You don't really need carbon in your filter, so don't worry about that. It will save you quite a bit of change to use your inserts this way, and you don't have to worry about disrupting the bacteria count. when it starts to fall apart, you can either place the old one behind a new one for a few days, or cut it into pieces and put it in your new filter media if this is possible.

 

[abelh7]

do you guys recommend the emperor biowheel filter or is a regular hangon the back filter ok. mine just uses the 2 filters that slide in its not a very expensive one. i was just wondering cause i have heard that they help with all the nitrate nitrite stuff i dont really understand it. just checking with yall before i go drop 50 bucks on one.

 

[leafs]

do you guys recommend the emperor biowheel filter or is a regular hangon the back filter ok. mine just uses the 2 filters that slide in its not a very expensive one. i was just wondering cause i have heard that they help with all the nitrate nitrite stuff i dont really understand it. just checking with yall before i go drop 50 bucks on one.

I prefer the hang on filter type. I have the Aquaclear and it seems to work pretty good. I'm not too fimiliar with any other type. One thing that I'm a little concerned about with the Aquaclear is that I've heard of the filter overflowing from the top and emptying out a lot of water. I have my tank on carpet, so if this ever happened I would be in big trouble. I belive this only happens if the filter gets clogged up from improper cleaning. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[abelh7]

yeah i had an aquaclear and it did the same. i had carpet and it overflowed about 5 gallons over time. i didnt even realize it i guess i should have paid more attention.

 

[leafs]

yeah i had an aquaclear and it did the same. i had carpet and it overflowed about 5 gallons over time. i didnt even realize it i guess i should have paid more attention.

Hi there. Did you figure out why it was leaking? Just curious. Mine hasn't leaked yet, but I'm always worrying about it. I might just move the tank where there isn't any carpet.