Filter changing
 

Hey everyone. i have had my 55 gallon running for about a few months and I havnt changed out the filter carbons. I have a box of a couple more somewhere and I'm doing a big water change today and I usually just take one of the carbon filters out of the holder and rinse it in a bucket and run my fingers over it because it was almost clogged. And I do that for both of them. I want to change them today but I know you cant just switch them out there for you will need to cycle the tank again which will lead to distaster. Do I just switch one with a new one and thats all untill the next water change?

Nick

If you have substrate in your tank, then you should be fine cleaning out the whole filter. Just as long as you DO NOT DO a gravel cleaning at the same time. Nitrifying bacteria colonize filter media, decor, as well as the substrate, so if you disturb too many things, then it could lead to a mini-cycle.

What I normally do is clean out the filter and just lightly place the syphon over the subtrate to pick up the detritus. I don't dig into the substrate, which is what I normally do. The following week is when I go back into the routine of a good gravel cleaning.

Sooo what your saying is as long as I just stick to a water change and dont do my regular gravel vac and cleaning in the tank than I can just switch my two carbon filters out with brand new one's just like that? Hmm... Please explain a little more :P

Yeah, that should be no problem.

Alrighty hope all goes good for me I'm going to do my thing right now thanks:8

Okay well I coudnt find any new filters soooo maybe next time.