Filter cartridge in an eclipse?

[FinnFan]

The other thread made me wonder... should I change the filter in my eclipse? It has a biowheel, and these filter cartridges that it says you should replace monthly. Should I replace it, or just wash it with tank water? It has charcoal.

I know that most of the beneficial bacteria are probably living on the biowheel, right? But are some also living on the other filter? Will I mess things up if I change it?

[PEVINE]

change it like 3 - 4 weeks, the bactriea is everywhere in the tank if its cycled. the filters takes everything unwanted out. . . . . . deffently change it

[Danh]

I don't change my HOB filter cartiges for months at a time. I just rinse them in tank water. Occasionally I rinse them in the sink too though. Which isn't much different that getting a new one. The only thing is the carbon is probably worthless (as carbon at least) after a while. I don't use carbon in the sumps of my bigger tanks either though, so I don't really care about the carbon.

[emc7]

Yes, the carbon is now worthless as carbon. You might get some more life out of it if you crush it to open up new surfaces. The biowheel is supposed to hold enough of the biology to safely change cartridges without re-cycling the tank. Do the rest of us change cartridges every month? Nope. I rinse in used tank water if the cartridge isn't bad, sink water if it is, even rub it with a brush. I throw out the cartridge when it starts to fall apart. Now bettas eat high protein food and that leaves a scum on the water, fresh carbon should tank that out, and its great for taking out meds or odd colors from the water. But I don't know why fresh carbon would be essential.

[FinnFan]

Thanks much!