Filter Change During Cycle

[Cartman8779]

I have just added a Bio-Wheel Filter and there is a whole ton of fish crap in the filter. I am cycling my tank (mondays supposed to be my last day). Since I didn't have a Bio-Wheel before I decided to put my cartridge from my old one into my new one so as to save all the bacteria that built up. I have changed the filter cartridge at all and I'm wondering if I can? I don't know what the heck is wrong with the cycle but since I've started cycling I've added tons of chemicals and now it's all screwed up.

My main question is this: During a cycle how often should you change your filter cartridge? Any advice on the whole cycling thing would be a big help because I'm all backwards and upside down.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Bol]

(mondays supposed to be my last day).

That's usually not the kind of thing you can predict. Why do you think Monday should be the last day?

I don't know what the heck is wrong with the cycle but since I've started cycling I've added tons of chemicals and now it's all screwed up.

Ruh roh.

It would help if you could answer a few questions, Aaron. Basically, a 'day-by-day' commentary would help.

* Is the tank the one in your signature?
* Sounds like you're cycling with fish, right?
* What, exactly, did you do at the start of the cycle?
* When did you start cycling?
* What filter were you using at the start of the cycle?
* When did you add the Bio-Wheel filter?
* When you added the Bio-Wheel filter, did you remove the old filter from the tank? (Filter, that is, not the filter cartridge).
* What are all the things you added to the water since you started, how much, and when?
* Tank water test results would help. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels are key in cycling, and pH and KH are fairly important.


But, to answer your original question, ...

During a cycle how often should you change your filter cartridge?

Most people will say the best answer to that is 'never'. But, if the filter cartridge is so clogged that it blocks the water flow too much, don't change it, but clean it by swooshing it around in (very important -->) siphoned off tank water, not tap water. (Tap water contains chlorine, which will kill the bacteria you're trying to grow).

 

[crazie.eddie]

When cycling, you don't need to use any cartridge if you have bacteria from another established tank. As long as there are no fish, just let the filter run, without cartridges. If you are using a used cartridge, just dump that in the tank.