Eclipse How Often To Change Filter?

[lgreenmk]

I've had my Eclipse System 3 (3 gallon) tank for four weeks tonight. I have done three water changes and the current fish seem to be doing well (Neon Tetras since the tank was 24 hours old - I didn't know Anna, sorry! They had me treat the water with a dechlorinator and Cycle), one guppy for one week, one swordtail for two weeks. How often do you really need to change the filter? I know to NEVER change the Bio Wheel.

Thanks!

 

[KnuckleHead]

I would clean it with every water change. Just swoosh it around in your discarded water. As far as replacing it Im not sure. Every 2 to 3 months sounds about right.

 

[Mollymomma]

if it's carbon I'd change it more often say new carbon once a month... then the swooshing in the tank water with every water change.

If I'm wrong hopefully someone will point it out nicely

 

[guppymonkey]

Unless the tank is actually a lot larger than a three gallon, your tank is crammed with fish! I have no idea how your fish can even swim. 9 fish in three gallons? The usual rule is one inch of fish per gallon (basically). A three gallon tank is very very tiny for that many fish and it will lead to them all dying unless they get a bigger home soon. That is unless the tank is actually larger than you think.

Filters can be kept for a long time. Take some of the tank water and use it to rinse out the filter when it needs cleaning. The filter company will tell you to replace the filter every month but that so they can make money selling filters! Just rinse it off and it will work better than getting a new filter because then your tank would have to go through a mini cycle as the good bacteria built up on the filter.

 

[lgreenmk]

You're right, but I didn't know that when I got the fish. They didn't tell me all of that. I have had the tank for four weeks. It truly is a three gallon (Eclipse System Three). I only moved the betta in there last night because his gallon bowl was overrun with brown algae every five or six days. I have an Eclipse Explorer 2 gallon cycling now to put him (and maybe three of the neons) in.