Small Box Filter

[anwhyte]

In my smallest tank (about 30l) I have a small aqua-flow 100 corner filter, the manufacterer recommends replacing the cartridge once a month, but how can I get a build up of beneficial bacteria ( a cycled tank) if I have to keep replacing the filter cartridge?
thanks.

 

[loraxchick]

in short, you wont...dont ever replace any filter media unless it is literally falling apart...when the flow is reduced from the filter, just rinse it(give it a few good swishes) in old tank water or dechlorinated water to get rid of the big gunk that is trapped in it, and put it back into the filter. they tell you to replace it to keep making money.
cheers

 

[anwhyte]

in short, you wont...dont ever replace any filter media unless it is literally falling apart...when the flow is reduced from the filter, just rinse it(give it a few good swishes) in old tank water or dechlorinated water to get rid of the big gunk that is trapped in it, and put it back into the filter. they tell you to replace it to keep making money.
cheers

sounds good, thanks.

 

[Sanderling]

consider adding a sponge filter as well. You can have the two filters on alternate cleaning schedules so that your beneficial bacteria colony(s) will always remain active.

 

[OldMan47]

I have started to ignore the media that comes in my box filters. Instead I have been putting a nice thick layer of ceramic biological media into them and covered it with a thin layer of filter wool. It gives me enough filtration to keep most of the dirt out of the bio-media while making good use of the space in the filter.