How often to change filter?

[JeffinMississippi]

I have an aquaclear 20-30 in a 20 gallon tank. How often should I change out
the filter and sponge?

[Steve]

JeffinMississippi wrote:
> I have an aquaclear 20-30 in a 20 gallon tank. How often should I change out
> the filter and sponge?
>
>
Is this a new aquarium? Then clean the filter as little as possible. As
long as water continues to flow freely through the sponge you're ok.
When the water backs up in the filter and flows out around the intake
tube then the filter definitely needs to be cleaned. Also if you have a
new aquarium, google on "aquarium cycling" or "aquarium cycle", which is
the process by which healthy bacteria become established in your
aquarium and make it a good home for fish. The cycling process takes
about a month, during which you should not add more fish than you have
now, and do regular partial water changes (30%) perhaps twice a week.

When cleaning the filter, just squeeze out the sponge a few times in a
bucket of aquarium water, and also rinse the carbon or whatever else you
have. On an established aquarium, I rinse the aquaclear sponge at water
change time, about every two weeks.

You clean but do not change the media, to preserve the helpful filter
bacteria. A great feature of the Aquaclear is the sponge, which can last
for many years without replacement.

Steve

[JeffinMississippi]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> JeffinMississippi wrote:
> > I have an aquaclear 20-30 in a 20 gallon tank. How often should I change
out
> > the filter and sponge?
> >
> >
> Is this a new aquarium? Then clean the filter as little as possible. As
> long as water continues to flow freely through the sponge you're ok.
> When the water backs up in the filter and flows out around the intake
> tube then the filter definitely needs to be cleaned. Also if you have a
> new aquarium, google on "aquarium cycling" or "aquarium cycle", which is
> the process by which healthy bacteria become established in your
> aquarium and make it a good home for fish. The cycling process takes
> about a month, during which you should not add more fish than you have
> now, and do regular partial water changes (30%) perhaps twice a week.
>
> When cleaning the filter, just squeeze out the sponge a few times in a
> bucket of aquarium water, and also rinse the carbon or whatever else you
> have. On an established aquarium, I rinse the aquaclear sponge at water
> change time, about every two weeks.
>
> You clean but do not change the media, to preserve the helpful filter
> bacteria. A great feature of the Aquaclear is the sponge, which can last
> for many years without replacement.
>

Dangit,l I didnt wait for a reply. I think the tank would be considered
"Established". Its now near three months, all levels are withing tolerances
on the test strips. I reclled when I first got it that someone told me with
the Aquaclear I should change out the filter every two weeks, but they didnt
mention the sponge. Anyway, I took the sponge, and media out and trashed it
and replaced it with new. Ill know better next time. Thanks for the info.

[Steve]

JeffinMississippi wrote:

> Dangit,l I didnt wait for a reply. I think the tank would be considered
> "Established". Its now near three months, all levels are withing tolerances
> on the test strips. I reclled when I first got it that someone told me with
> the Aquaclear I should change out the filter every two weeks, but they didnt
> mention the sponge. Anyway, I took the sponge, and media out and trashed it
> and replaced it with new. Ill know better next time. Thanks for the info.
>
>

Thanks for your reply.

Actually, the plastic bags of activated carbon, zeolite etc that Hagen
supplies with their Aqauaclear filters do get thrown out and replaced -
but not during the 1st month or "aquarium cycle". Many people feel the
carbon and zeolite etc are unnecessary. It's the sponge that is rinsed
and kept for ever. Besides the sponge, I use a net bag of crushed coral
in my Aquaclear to add some hardness to my soft water, and this bag is
also rinsed and kept a long time.

It sounds like your aquariums is definitely established; good luck :) .
Steve

[Larry Blanchard]

Steve wrote:

> Actually, the plastic bags of activated carbon, zeolite etc that Hagen
> supplies with their Aqauaclear filters do get thrown out and replaced
> - but not during the 1st month or "aquarium cycle". Many people feel
> the carbon and zeolite etc are unnecessary. It's the sponge that is
> rinsed and kept for ever.

I tossed the carbon in mine and replaced it with the ceramic cylinders.

--
It's turtles, all the way down

[Dick]

On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 15:16:37 GMT, "JeffinMississippi"
> wrote:

>
>"Steve" > wrote in message
...
>> JeffinMississippi wrote:
>> > I have an aquaclear 20-30 in a 20 gallon tank. How often should I change
>out
>> > the filter and sponge?
>> >
>> >
>> Is this a new aquarium? Then clean the filter as little as possible. As
>> long as water continues to flow freely through the sponge you're ok.
>> When the water backs up in the filter and flows out around the intake
>> tube then the filter definitely needs to be cleaned. Also if you have a
>> new aquarium, google on "aquarium cycling" or "aquarium cycle", which is
>> the process by which healthy bacteria become established in your
>> aquarium and make it a good home for fish. The cycling process takes
>> about a month, during which you should not add more fish than you have
>> now, and do regular partial water changes (30%) perhaps twice a week.
>>
>> When cleaning the filter, just squeeze out the sponge a few times in a
>> bucket of aquarium water, and also rinse the carbon or whatever else you
>> have. On an established aquarium, I rinse the aquaclear sponge at water
>> change time, about every two weeks.
>>
>> You clean but do not change the media, to preserve the helpful filter
>> bacteria. A great feature of the Aquaclear is the sponge, which can last
>> for many years without replacement.
>>
>
>Dangit,l I didnt wait for a reply. I think the tank would be considered
>"Established". Its now near three months, all levels are withing tolerances
>on the test strips. I reclled when I first got it that someone told me with
>the Aquaclear I should change out the filter every two weeks, but they didnt
>mention the sponge. Anyway, I took the sponge, and media out and trashed it
>and replaced it with new. Ill know better next time. Thanks for the info.
>

Not to worry, I rinse my filters with tap water (5 tanks) when the
water flow bypasses the filter. I don't use charcoal. I believe
having frequent water changes is more important than the filter. Once
my tanks were established the only water problems I have had were due
to overfeeding!

dick