Filtered Tank

[kristian18f]

I am relitively new to filtered tanks, I know with the instructions it said to change the filter every two weeks (which I have been doing), Is there a way to physically tell when the filter needs to be changed (do you start getting algae or something) or do I need to keep with the two week schedule?

Also, is there a way to prolongue the life of your filter?

Tank-
10 Gallon
4 Zebra Danios
4 Neon Tetras
1 Dwarf Gromi
A few Ghost shrimp
A couple live plants

[mrmoby]

Most people keep them longer than that, as they are a great source of beneficial bacteria in the tank.

You may notice a diminished waterflow, and at that point, you can rinse it out with tank water when doing a water change. Personally, I someitmes rinse it out with pressurised water, to remove more crud, though that's nopt so good for maintaining the bacteria.

Followning those practices, I usually only change mine every few months.

[RockabillyChick]

DO NOT CHANGE THE FILTER

>.< they only say that to make money.

fish eat. then they poop. their waste (as well as uneaten food) breaks down into ammonia. there are bacteria present everywhere, that eat the ammonia and break it down into NitrItes. then there are more bacteria that eat the nitrItes and break them down into nitrAtes. both ammonia and nitrItes are very harmful to fish. nitrAtes are not AS bad, but can't be allowed to get too high or they can become quite harmful.

the process of "Cycling" is providing ammonia and nitrItes for these good bacteria to eat, so they grow and multiply, until you have a colony large enough to eat up all the ammonia that the fish in your tank produce. these bacteria establish in the filter. every time you change the filter, you are throwing away these good bacteria and preventing your tank from cycling properly.

do not throw the filter out until it begins falling appart, that usually takes about 6 months.

go out and get yourself a liquid test kit. go here http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1133632283063 and print out that page. take it to your local petsmart, and have them price match the "Freshwater master test kit" that is $14.99 believe me, its SO worth it to spend $5 more to get the liquid test than to waste your money on the strips. the liquid kit lasts like 8 times longer and is more accurate, but it does have a shelf life and should be kept in the fridge to prolong that shelf life.

now, as your tank cycles, you will see spikes of ammonia and nitrItes and the nitrAtes will slowly build. do water changes regularly (this may be up to one to two times a day) to keep your ammonia and nitrItes as low as possible (preferably below 0.5ppm)

nitrAtes should always stay below 30ppm, and even after the tank is cycled, you will have to do weekly water changes to keep the nitrAtes below acceptable levels.

about every other time you do a water change, you can take the filter out and swish it in the OLD tank water to remove debris and some of the larger pieces of waste that gets sucked up. make sure you condition the new tank water before adding it.

[Fishfirst]

I disagree with Rockabilly, I think you should change them periodically, but not frequently. Maintaining a bacterial coloney is a good thing, but your gravel should be able to sustain and recolonize your bacterial coloney in your filter fairly quickly. I usually change mine every 2-3 months... this will not affect your cycle if you are still cycling, which I don't think you ever stated you were cycling. You can rinse them like mrmoby suggested, it helps get the crud out fairly well.

[ron v]

Rockabilly, that was a good, well thought out post. I agree with everything you said. Fishfirst, I guess it's OK to throw out a perfectly good filter pad in 3 months, but why??? The filter pad has far more bacteria than the gravel. The best of all solutions would be to have two filters and alternate changing out pads.
BTW, Kristian, what kind of filter do you have?

[kristian18f]

I have an aquatech filter, sorry can't give the model number because I have no idea where the book is that it came with. Sheesh, I'm glad i don't have to spend that money every two weeks anymore. Filters are not that expensive but a penny saved.....

I do have the strips, but if the liquid is better I'll get it instead... My fridge is on the fritz though, do they need to stay THAT cold? I'll have to check it out. and thanks for the long post, I will print it to make sure that everything stays well in my tank.

I guess I will check the filter in a few months to make sure it's not falling apart.

[ron v]

Kristian, I have filter pads in use that are probably two years old. I don't replace until they get holes in them. I don't even clean filters but about once a month.... The liquid tests are more accurate. My old eyes have trouble distinguishing colors anyway and the liquid tests are hard but the strips are impossible. LOL. I have never refridgerated liquid test solution. It probably would make it last longer, but it seems they would say that on the bottle.

[leveldrummer]

the only reason you would change a filter would be to replace the activated carbon inside. it still filters out most of the bulk but you cant "rinse out" the carbon. they should be replaced every few months, and rinsed out every water change. the carbon filters out tiny little particles that you cant see.

[RockabillyChick]

the liquid test kits last about 6 months at room temp and about a year in the fridge. it'll be fine at room temp until you get your fridge fixed, but stick it in there once it is.

[RockabillyChick]

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

the only reason you would change a filter would be to replace the activated carbon inside. it still filters out most of the bulk but you cant "rinse out" the carbon. they should be replaced every few months, and rinsed out every water change. the carbon filters out tiny little particles that you cant see.

the carbon is used to remove chemichals and medication from the water. many people never use it UNLESS they need to remove medication from the water. you don't need to use the carbon all the time.

[Lydia]

I don't use carbon at all unless I need to take out meds. Also, about changing filter cartridges, there is no need to do that IMO unless it is falling apart, although I take mine out and rinse them every time they start impedeing the water flow. I always rinse them in plain tap water, and I have never had a problem with it disrupting my tank param's. IME there is enough bacteria in the gravel/plants/driftwood to make up for the bacteria I am washing away.

[kaybee]

Speaking of filters....I just moved my betta into a desk top aquarium with UGF. I transfered gravel and a plant from my 10g over with him. My question is..........is there suppose to be carbon or something under the UGF plate? I haven't had a tank with UGF since I was a kid.....it seems like there was something more to it? The aquarium is a kit from Petsmart which was supposed to include everything you need but there was no filter medium included. Does the gravel do the same?

TIA,
Kay

[ron v]

The gravel IS the filter medium. The principal behind an ugf is that water is forced to flow through the gravel. The bacteria that you need, thrive in this oxygen rich water. The gravel also traps debris as the water flows through. It is important to vacumn the gravel frequently to keep it clean.