To Expensive

[alex1319]

I need some advice because filter cartridges are too expensive. Is there a way to re use them?

 

[blesser13]

What filter or canister are you using?

 

[Caprichoso]

I need some advice because filter cartridges are too expensive. Is there a way to re use them?

If it's foam or sponges, you don't need to ever replace them unless they are falling apart, so that one's solved. Bio-rings/ceramic rings, same thing, don't need replacing. Filter floss is plastic material so you just re-rinse in tank water over and over. Carbon and zeolite are not necessary unless you want to remove something from the water(meds, tannins form wood, etc) but they need to be replaced regularly if you are using. Carbon chips can be bought in bulk at the lfs. The pre made, pre-filled cartridges can be replaced with a thin layer of foam and placed in the filter as is. I did this in my shrimp tanks because the tanks came with the Marina filter where they expect you to use those stupid cartridges that already have carbon in them(it's white material)..I just bought the Fluval foam inserts for the nano tanks and trimmed them to fit my filter. I used the existing cartridge as a template. Works great and no need to replace anything, I just rinse them when I need to and they go back in the filter.

Hope that helps?

 

[KittyKat]

As above, except it is *sometimes* necessary to replace filter wool/floss, you can buy large rolls of it for the same price as you would normally pay for a branded replacement package.. all you need to do is trim it to size with a pair of scissors.

Just to demonstrate a point, I have never had to replace rough sponges and ceramic media: some of the ones I have now are over 10 years old and still perfectly fine!

 

[minnnt]

I need some advice because filter cartridges are too expensive. Is there a way to re use them?

If it's foam or sponges, you don't need to ever replace them unless they are falling apart, so that one's solved. Bio-rings/ceramic rings, same thing, don't need replacing. Filter floss is plastic material so you just re-rinse in tank water over and over. Carbon and zeolite are not necessary unless you want to remove something from the water(meds, tannins form wood, etc) but they need to be replaced regularly if you are using. Carbon chips can be bought in bulk at the lfs. The pre made, pre-filled cartridges can be replaced with a thin layer of foam and placed in the filter as is. I did this in my shrimp tanks because the tanks came with the Marina filter where they expect you to use those stupid cartridges that already have carbon in them(it's white material)..I just bought the Fluval foam inserts for the nano tanks and trimmed them to fit my filter. I used the existing cartridge as a template. Works great and no need to replace anything, I just rinse them when I need to and they go back in the filter.

Hope that helps?

Yep! Pretty much it. Manufacturers love to tell you to replace them every 4 weeks etc. Unless the sponge is actually in pieces in your hands then it will be perfectly fine.

Filter wool is easy to replace, and very cheap when you find somewhere that sells the big rolls for next to nothing. I had never used filter wool before until i purchased a TetraTEC external filter... It is absolutely awesome stuff!