How Often To Replace Aquarium Filter

The filter media in your aquarium filter needs to be cleaned and sometimes replaced periodically. In this article nosotros'll discuss when to change filter media based on the purpose of the filter media itself.

You lot should change filter media when it can no longer exist used for its particular function. Sponges must capture waste material, dirt, and full general detritus. Bio-media must retain its surface surface area for benign bacteria to grow on. Chemical media must continue to absorb dissolved particles in the water. Media should be changed when it can no longer function correctly.

Time Frame for media

The amount of fourth dimension whatsoever given media takes to lose its capability to role has many factors. Including only not limited to Bio-load, feeding amounts, water changes/maintenance…etc

There is no given time frame for any ane specific media because it is dependent on the aquarium specifics itself. With that being said we will talk over a very general time frame for each type of media.

Sponges

Mechanical filtration should be cleaned with every filter cleaning. Sponges can be squeezed and cleaned out of any and all detritus that was captured within itself. When cleaning sponges the h2o will plow a dark color from the release of clay and detritus that was independent inside the sponge. One time a sponge tin can no longer release the detritus captured it's time for a replacement.

Course sponges can last a lot longer than a fine sponge. Fine sponges capture so much debris that it volition be completely full and cannot be cleaned. Fine sponges should be replaced with every filter cleaning. In general your course and medium sponges can last betwixt 3-6 months earlier needing replacement.

Bio-Media

never be replaced. Bio-media should be rinsed off, in tank

water only. Chlorine from your tap water volition kill the beneficial bacteria growing on your bio-media. If your mechanical filtration is functioning correctly your bio-media should not get clogged with dirt and droppings. But you lot would nevertheless want to rinse your bio-media, in tank h2o, but to remove any pocket-sized particles that may accept gotten through your mechanical media. Bio-media can be used for years without needing to be replaced.

Chemical Media

Chemical media removes dissolved particles from your tank water with activated carbons, resins, and other adsorbents. In one case this chemical media is "full" information technology tin not blot any more and volition need to exist replaced. In general near chemic media should be replaced monthly or with every filter cleaning.

Summary

Some filter media, like bio-media, does not need to be changed. Other media like sponges tin be cleaned and re-used multiple times before needing to be changed, usually in almost iii-vi months. Chemic filtration definitely should be inverse every 1-2 months of continuous use.