Should I Change The Filter Media Every Month?

[Batmanjay28]

I have for the last year or so been changing the filter media very month or so. I heard yesterday that this is not great to do. Should you change it every month? I was told that you should actually leave it in there for as long as you can, it that true. I would like to know because after spending about $100 a year for my 5 tanks I think I would like to know. What should you do? Change them out every month or just wash off the crap off of the media in a bucket of your tank water? And if I need to change them how many times a year do I need to? thanks also how do you lower your ph without addig chemicals to your water?

 

[Tolak]

You can use the same media until it falls apart, or is so plugged it doesn't come clean. I have filter sponges that are 8 years old. Floss can be replaced as needed, that's mostly mechanical filtration. Your bio media should last quite a while. What make & model of filter are you running?


Use peat in your filter to drop your pH a little. I use it once in a while to induce pairing & spawning.

 

[Batmanjay28]

You can use the same media until it falls apart, or is so plugged it doesn't come clean. I have filter sponges that are 8 years old. Floss can be replaced as needed, that's mostly mechanical filtration. Your bio media should last quite a while. What make & model of filter are you running?


Use peat in your filter to drop your pH a little. I use it once in a while to induce pairing & spawning.

what is peat and whee can I get it?

 

[mark.w.jones]

I wrote something about it here.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=144397

 

[ICEEGRL]

Which kind of filter material are you changing? If it is carbon, then yes it should be changed. Most people here don't use that as much as stores tell you to. The general idea here appears to be that carbon and such is for medication removal and cleanup, but not constant use.
Carbon gets old and can release bad stuff back into the tank. That is why it needs to be replaced fairly often. The non chemical mechanical filter materials can just be rinsed.
This is my understanding any way.

 

[Tolak]

I use plain old peat moss for the garden. Make sure it's the cheap stuff without fertilizer, and make sure it isn't composted peat.

 

[Torrean]

if you aren't sure who to believe in this then consider this. Are we making money off of you? Are the people who sell you the prepackaged filter media?

 

[steelhealr]

I have the same sponge in for over a year plus. As Tolak said, you can rinse it in aquarium water until it falls apart. I have never changed my Biomax. I never use activated carbon anymore. I DO use filter floss tho' and toss it weekly as I tend towards a heavier particulate load since I keep hornwort and it sheds. The best thing you can do for your aquarium are consistent water changes.
SH