Carbon filters...?

Question

I have had my carbon filter in my tank for just over 6 weeks now, and it says in the manual that you have to change filters every 6 weeks.

My concern is that if I change the carbon filter, will this cause a problem with the bacteria that have established in my tank??

Do I just buy a new foam and put that in place of the old one, or is there something else I have to do to ensure the water quality stays OK?

Answer 1

You will be fine. Rinse the new filter very well using water removed from the aquarium and put in a container which has never been washed with any soap and replace the old filter.
Some people will rub the old filter onto the new one for a few minutes, and this practice is fine also.
Do this instead of doing your water change that week and keep an eye on the ammonia/nitrite levels. If either get over 4ppm do a small water change 10-15% while siphonning the gravel.

Answer 2

As the first poster mentioned, you can rinse out the foam in de-chlorinated water and re-use it. When you do replace it, you can replace it in portions, that way you have at least some bacteria still in. I wouldn't recommend replacing the whole filter at once because it is risky.

The carbon itself needs to be replaced if you still want to use it - and depending how hard it needs to work might last as short a time as 2 weeks. Most people who keep it in lonver then a month are going without it without realizing it.
And you are right, bacteria has grown on the carbon as well, regarless that it is not intended to be a biological media.
If you live in a city that already has good water, you don't even need it. I haven't used carbon in fifteen years myself and just use more biological media in the filters instead.

Answer 3

You could always wash the new filter media in water from the filter (not from the tank) so that the beneficial bacteria get a good start on it. If you're concerned about water quality you could reduce the amount of food your fish eat for a few days and maybe do an extra water change.

Answer 4

no it won't mess with your bacteria in your tank at all
that's what I personally do:
I have a whisperfilter, so there is a carbon cartridge and a foam pad in it
About every 4-6 weeks, I take out the whole filter and clean out all the waste with brushes and warm water, I wash the pad with cold water, and replace the carbon cartridge with a new one, but before I put it in the filter I wash it off with cold water until there is no black stuff running away any more

There is enough bacteria in your gravel, and you have to change the carbon cartridge or it won't do the filtering job any more


Hope that helps
Good luck



EB

Answer 5

I only use carbon to remove meds from my tanks. If you put new filter media in your fully established tank it will be no prob. The good bacteria is living on everything in your tank and it will quickly grow on your filter again. You should use a foam filter pad and not just carbon on its own.
I took my filter pads out from a old tank and put them in a new uncycled tank with some gravel from old tank, i then put the new filter pad in old tank.

My new tank cycled in just over a week and my old tank is have no probs with the new filter media.

Answer 6

Beneficial Bacteria is present in your filter medium (wool or sponge) and in your substrate. Carbon simply removes chemicals in the water by absorbing it. If you don't replace them, it will spit it back out and harm your fish.

Answer 7

Carbon filters remove bad odours, discoloration and ammonia. It's also essential for reducing harmful nitrates. Don't worry it has nothing to do with removing beneficial bacteria. I change my one every 2months.