Eheim External Filter - Media/foam Changes - How Often Do You?

[KimA]

Got/installed my Eheim 2026 external filter today, and have some questions on changing the media/foams.

The instructions say to change:

- White filter pad every 1-2 weeks
- Blue filter, after it's been used 2-3 times
- SubstratPro, keep 1/3rd of media used when replacing
- Ehfimech - nothing mentioned

It's running with a 180L tank.


Roughly when do you all replace these filters/foam (I know it can depend on stocking levels etc also)?

Thanks
KimA

 

[Tolak]

All filter manufacturers love to sell media, and suggest changing it way too often. I have a 2026 on a 65 along with an Aqua Clear 300. It's stocked with 7 angels, a couple bristlenose plecs, and a school of corys. I change the fine white pad every 4 to 6 months, that's how often it gets cleaned. The rest of the media just gets rinsed with tank water, it's been running a little over 2 years now, the 2026 is a great filter.

I have other Eheim canisters running on other tanks, they get the same cleaning schedule.

 

[KimA]

Wow, that's amazing - I did think their changing suggestions were a bit excessive.

Thanks
KimA

 

[Nim]

er... Except for the filter floss that I change every once a year (because it tends to get too thick and hard) the rest of the media including ehfi mech and substrat (I dont have pro) has been there in my filters for a little over 3 years now.

Chemical media however will need to be changes as per the manual.. mechanical and biological media probably has 10 times more life then what the manufacturers say... they want to keep earning by selling media.

Nim

 

[Rooster]

Clean them when clogged, change them when they wont clean !
Only exception is the carbon/charcoal ones... these are only effective for a couple of weeks at most.