Changing filter question!
 

How do you change your filter and how often do you have to change it? Can you clean you filter and use it again, if so, how do you go about doing that? Can i just use a new filter?

What type of "filter" do you have? Sounds like you're talking about filter media; the stuff that traps dirt.

I have a Whisper ex30 and i want to know when should i change out the filter out of the filter system?

It usually says in the intstructions how often to change it. I have a Whisper and I change the filter cartridge (may not be the proper terminology) about every month. You'll need to buy the replacements (I believe Walmart would carry them since I know they carry the Whisper filters and that is where I get mine.) You will just have to look at the size of the ones you have to know if you should get small, medium, or large.

Do you have to worry about bacteria decrease when taking out the old filter?

Just rinse out the filter in old tank water so as to NOT destroy your bacteria. The only time to replace is when they are falling apart. Companies tell you to replace more often so they can make MORE money.

Excellent advice! I've had an Eheim on my 90g for almost 15 years now and have never replaced the blue pad, only once replaced the floss pad (it was in shreds literally) and I only replace half of the biological rock every year or maybe two.

I agree. Don't change the media, just rinse it out in tank water. Sponges work till they start falling apart. When you replace the pad, you do lose the bacteria it contains. So its only safe to change 1/3 of the filter media at a time then wait 2 weeks before changing any more.. A quick search I did shows your filter only contains 1 large filter pad. Meaning if you replace the pad you lose almost all of your bacteria. Your tank would go through the cycle again. This is the reason I don't care for Whisper filters or any other filter that uses only one pad. An Aquaclear 30 would of been a better choice IMO. Your filter will do though.

If you do ever need to change the pad I would suggest removing the carbon if it is still in there (wait 2 weeks) Then cut off one 1/3 of the old media and place a new filter bag(get rid of the new carbon) over the old one. (wait 2 weeks) Remove another 1/3 of the old media(wait 2 weeks) before removing the rest of the old media. Do not increase the bioload while doing this.

Removing 1/3 the media will not cause the tank to cycle or even mini cycle. It has the same effect as if you were to increase the fish load by 1/3. The two week period gives enough time for the bacteria to recolonize the media before you remove any more.