The Puffer Forum

When should I change the filter media in my filter? It is a one piece sponge/carbon scrubber. I don't want to just throw out all that good bacteria!

Rinse/slosh it in a bucket with tank water and put it back in.

Can do. Thanks! At some point it will have to be replaced completely though right? What do i do then?

I don't know, because I don't run carbon in my tanks unless I'm removing medicine. I'm not sure what effect "old" carbon has. I usually cut and remove the carbon first.

Carbon needs to be replaced at least once a month. Sponge can be rinsed over and over again. Biological media never needs to be replaced if you have any or plaining on getting which I think is a must.

ditto on the carbon, but the sponge should be rinsed when you notice the water clarity diminishing, or you can do it at regular intervals such as 3 weeks for a lightly stocked tank or 1-2 weeks for a heavily stocked tank,

Dont waste your money on carbon

Just put in a new sponge about a month before you plan on removing the old one. That way the new one will get a good amount of bacteria on it before you pull the old one.

xrayjeeper83 wrote:Dont waste your money on carbon.

+1, for the rest, get an Aquaclear filter with reusable sponge, the rest are crap.

Thanks for all the responses everybody. I should have been more clear to begin with: the filter I'm using has a one-piece filter mechanism, so if I change it, every aspect of filtration gets changed out. Any ideas? Upgrading is in the future plans, but the next couple of months are going to be tight on money.

just rinse it in tank water during a water change and put it back, when it gets close to time to change it add another sponge a few weeks before so it gets seeded

ATXpuffer wrote:Thanks for all the responses everybody. I should have been more clear to begin with: the filter I'm using has a one-piece filter mechanism, so if I change it, every aspect of filtration gets changed out. Any ideas? Upgrading is in the future plans, but the next couple of months are going to be tight on money.

When you can do what PP suggested and get an aquaclear. one that will turn your water over at least 6x in an hour. Those imo are the best investment you can make with hob filters. I have one downstairs on my tetra/frog tank and when i got it, i tossed the sponge and everything that came with it in favor for fine filter floss (that pillow stuffer looking stuffin) a bag of carbon and until recently a bag of bio media. all lightly packed in. (i use purigen now) you'll have to change the floss every now and then, but compared to using a sponge you'll thank yourself every day by looking at a tank where it doesnt even seem like theres water in it

one that will turn your water over at least 6x in an hour.

Go for 10x.