On Mar 23, 1:21*am, "DEM via PetKB.com" u42059@uwe wrote:
hi i have a question, how often do i have to change my filter ? I have 37
platies, 2 tetras, 2 mollies and a shubunkin which dose not live in the tank
w/ the others. i have a 10 gal with a Aqua-Tech 5-10 gal filter i would like
to know how often i have to change my filter becase i dont think i do it
often enough. how often do YOU change ur filter. THX in advance.

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Message posted via PetKB.comhttp://www.petkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/freshwater/200803/1

Thats still a lot of fish counting all those fry in a 10 gal gal tank
so I would probably clean it every week to 10 days or so. A water test
will give you a good idea on how nasty it is in regards to nitrate
buildup etc. The big thing most folks do with those filters is let em
go longer than they should for the simple reason IMHO replacement
media can get into some money. You may or may not get by on washing
the media and carts one time or so, but its chancey. IMHO why not get
a Hagen Aqua Clear, with reuseable media. Get one a size or two
larger than needed then you can get by for a bit if your not faithfull
with changing and cleaning media. Since the media in the aqua clears
is reuseable your good to go for a long long time. But a small micro
mesh nylon bag (sold at petshops) and a bulk container of actiovated
charcoal/carbon, and your good for a long long time without the need
to buy those expensive filter carts. The main filter media inthe Aqua
clear is a sponge and its easy to remove and clean, and the biological
portion is maintenance free (ceramic slugs) and the entire media
assembly ;lifts out with a basket affair. I uwld look at an AC40 or 70
in size which is suitable for a 40 or 70 gal tank. Less than $30 if
you buy it online or in a lot of petshops.