filter cartridges

[hampton]

I have a Regent 30-60 filter system. It's a system that hangs on the back of the aquarium and has ez-change filter cartidges. The new cartridge package says to change the cartridges every 2-4 weeks. My question is does this sound right? Should I wait longer or change them more often?

 

[cometcattle]

I've never owned a Regent, but I've owned many other hang-on-back filters.

You don't need to change the cart every 2-4 weeks.

I don't change my cartridges unless they are falling apart, or I want to remove medication I added to a tank. I rinse them each week in the dirty tank water when I do my water changes.

Remember, they (filter manufacters) want you to buy lots of carts. They make more money selling the carts, than they do on the actual filters.

HTH

 

[hampton]

Thanks for the information. So you just take your cart out and put it in the tank and rinse it out. Then you do your 25% water change. Is this correct? I like that idea alot better than buying cart every month.



Thanks




Mike

 

[pnyklr3]

No, the other way around. Take out 25% and rinse the cartridge outside of the tank in the tank water you removed. This is easy if you syphon into a bucket like I do. If you have a python, find a way to save a little bit (a gallon or two will be fine).

 

[hampton]

lol That makes more sense. I do have a python so I'll have to try and save some water. Thanks for staighten me up on that.

 

[laboul]

Some of your bacteria live in the filter, too. Another good reason not to change it too often because that wipes out part of your population. When adding a new cartridge, I hear that it's best to keep a bit of the old one inside it for awhile to inoculate it with the bacteria. Haven't done that yet as my tank is only 1.5 months old!!