Replacing filter cartridges

[mrsjoannh13]

Okay so I want to make sure I am not screwing anything up here....

I have a Marina S20 filter (love it, by the way). I have had my tank for about 2 months. I have read in forums that you are not supposed to replace your filter cartridges until they are basically falling apart. You should just squeeze them out in tank water every week or so. The filter manufacturers say to replace the cartridges every 3-4 weeks. I'm assuming this is just so they will sell more cartridges. But I don't want to do anything to mess up my tank or water quality.

So... to be sure I'm clear.... the filter cartridges as pictured should NOT be replaced every few weeks - correct? I should just be cleaning off in tank water during weekly water changes?

I also use some polyfill in the filter to help keep the water really clear. I am not replacing the polyfill either - just rinsing out in tank water. If it starts to look super icky I will replace.

Am I on the right track? Thanks!

 

[Essjay]

According to the photo, the cartridges are filled with carbon and 'ceramitek' which I assume is a ceramic biological medium.

Carbon is not needed full time. it is used to remove medication after treatment had finished and to remove the brown colour that leaches out of wood. It does also remove organic (carbon based) stuff in the water but water changes also remove it. Carbon adsorbs things - that is, the 'stuff' sticks to the surface of the carbon, and it gets full. That's why manufacturers say to replace it regularly.
But these cartridges also contain the biomedium, so if you change it every few weeks, you throw away the biomedium. The bag part of the cartridge also acts as a biomedium.


You can leave the cartridge in there until it does fall apart, but when it does I would replace it with sponge cut down to the same size as the cartridge. That will take years to fall apart.

How many cartridges are in the filter? If there's more than one, you could always start swapping them for sponge now - one at a time with at elast 4 to 6 weeks between each one.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

According to the photo, the cartridges are filled with carbon and 'ceramitek' which I assume is a ceramic biological medium.

Carbon is not needed full time. it is used to remove medication after treatment had finished and to remove the brown colour that leaches out of wood. It does also remove organic (carbon based) stuff in the water but water changes also remove it. Carbon adsorbs things - that is, the 'stuff' sticks to the surface of the carbon, and it gets full. That's why manufacturers say to replace it regularly.
But these cartridges also contain the biomedium, so if you change it every few weeks, you throw away the biomedium. The bag part of the cartridge also acts as a biomedium.


You can leave the cartridge in there until it does fall apart, but when it does I would replace it with sponge cut down to the same size as the cartridge. That will take years to fall apart.

How many cartridges are in the filter? If there's more than one, you could always start swapping them for sponge now - one at a time with at elast 4 to 6 weeks between each one.

The filter fits 2 of the cartridges side by side. When I do go to replace them I planned to only do one at a time and wait several weeks before replacing the 2nd one. I am also getting some bio rings to add in there along with the cartridge and polyfill. How does this sound? Any other suggestions? Thank you!

 

[Betta89]

I’d suggest that you simply use a porous sponge instead of this cartridge (biological filteration) for mechanical filteration your polyester stuff I’d good to go. Ensure to place porous filter as the first thing that comes in contact with the water followed by your polyester stuff on top of that you can have this cartridge (though this absolutely not required). Just ensure to make regular water changes (slightly clean your filter media once in 3 weeks in running water, run your filter in a bucket then run it again in your tank)

 

[seangee]

I have a Marina filter that came with similar cartridges. I used this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009EB5PT2/?tag= and cut it to the same size as the cartridges (which I have never used). I just rinse them once a week at water change time.

 

[Betta89]

I have a Marina filter that came with similar cartridges. I used this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009EB5PT2/?tag= and cut it to the same size as the cartridges (which I have never used). I just rinse them once a week at water change time.

I think u have to rinse this often as it looks more stuffy... well try I out..
check this out.. improvise..