When to change filter media?

[mercuryscio]

The manual for my tetra filter state to change the Activated Carbon + Bio Filter media once a month but when I went to lfs earlier I was told by the boss its not necessary to change monthly.

Advise pls.

[michael lai]

There is no hard and fast rule to this but take into consideration how heavy is your bioload. Usually for me maintaineance is 3months and I don't use charcoal unnecessarily. For a 4ft royal pleco tank, you probably need to maintain the cannister in every 2 months time. I know of planted hobbyist who service their cannisters every half a year...anyway all these observations were done or based on Ehiem filters, may varies with other makes. If it affects the flowrate of your cannister, its generally a good indicator to service. Hope this helps.


Later..

[PlAnTaNoOb]

Its weird. It takes almost a month for the bio media to mature and house enough bacteria. If we change it after a month, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of tank cycling?

In fact, I don't really know when to change the bio media. Shold we even change them at all? Or would a thorough rinse with tank water be sufficient?

[Aquaculture]

I've always have the conception that AC is like a sponge that would absorb and when it reaches satruation, it would depels it back to the tank. Therefore I do not use it although it sometimes come along with the purchase.

[Quixotic]

I've always have the conception that AC is like a sponge that would absorb and when it reaches satruation, it would depels it back to the tank.

It's adsorb, and the dispel thing isn't scientifically proven. So there are still debates about this.

Something I wrote a while back...
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...30&postcount=6

[torque6]

It's adsorb, and the dispel thing isn't scientifically proven. So there are still debates about this.

Something I wrote a while back...
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...30&postcount=6

agree, it still debatable.