I used to rinse the filter cartridges in tank water and reinstall. I'm sure after a couple of months the carbon was dead but I could get a couple of years out of a cartridge.
I have always heard (never tested) that the carbon will eventually leak the contaminates it had pulled out if the water back into the tank if it isn't replaced on a regular basis. If it wasnt for the carbon in them, I think filter cartridges wouldn't get such a bad wrap!
SnakeDiscovery has several aquariums and a special filtration system for their alligator and snapping turtle. I don't remember all of the details but they use polyfill from the craft store and those bio balls. I may have gotten that last name wrong.
i have a betta in a nice size tank so when i do water changes, i put my betta in a smaller tank with the water from his normal tank in it, and when i’m done the water change, i use that old water to rinse the cartridge and then i put it back in, and i put my betta back in his nice tank :)
I'm glad I'm learning this now, 10 days after I transferred my betta to a 10 gallon fish tank from the small bowl. He's very happy in the much deserved tank so far.
Was buying a tank off craigslist that came with an internal filter(replacement cartridge) and decided to replace it with a better filter system thanks to your video. Thumbs up
this video is a life saver, im doing so much research before i get my betta and this one explains filters so well esp for a beginner :) thank you so much!
I rinse my new cartridges in tank water and only change them about once every 3 months. I also keep a little scrubber sponge in the filter that doesn't get swapped out only rinsed in tank water when it absolutely needs it and never at the same time the cartridge is swapped. I do 20% water changes every week and have a lot of live plants, but I still play it cautious and under stock. I never have ammonia spikes and the health of my aquarium is one of the things I'm most proud of. I've had tons of people comment how they can't believe I have the same fish for so long. It's sad that so many people that keep fish get into it without research and just assume it's normal for a fish to live 2 weeks. Thank you for doing all you can to educate about proper aquatic husbandry! :D
@Sean Wall Yea buddy. But dont just put the cartridge down in the tank. Pull the water out in a bucket or bag and clean it that way. if you clean it in the tank it will make a mess haha
Thanks dude! I am just trying to get videos out there that can help people in any way possible! if someone has a bad experience they may never give the hobby a chance, and if they have a good experience they will get pumped and get even more into it. if you have any questions at all along the way you can always send the Otter Creek Aquatics Facebook page a message or send me an email ottercreekaquatics@gmail.com. Keep in touch, buddy!
Uhh ur talking about the same sponge you'd use to clean things also i only have a single filter with a cartridge should i just add the sponge in front of it or what should i do pls help and thanks 👍
OMG I am SO happy I found your video! I have the same Fluval 50 and just started my tank 2 months ago. I have been looking for directions on media changes all day and all I could find was Fluval branded videos which state to do this monthly. Now this makes so much sense. Now I know why my nitrate cycle has been so slow, because I've changed the media twice now. Thank you!!
Great video. Why not just take the filter and put it IN the tank. While the new 'virgin' filter begins to work and amass bacteria, keep the old filter in the tank. When the 'virgin' is primed with live bacteria, take the old one out of tank and toss; OR use to start a new tank's bacteria?
by filter do you mean cartridge? I just got a topfin silenstream a week ago and it uses cartridges. I’d prefer not to start over, so would it be okay If i kept my old cartridge inside the tank if I did need to get a new one?
This helps so much. The lady that runs the pet store told me years ago to change my filter every month. Just last week she told me not to throw it away just take it to the sink and rinse it. Thanks so much. I do use filters but I'm going to change to the other things that you shared
Very informative thank you. I am definitely going to switch over my only question is if I was to put a brand new cartridge in now but I have also a sponge filter going as additional filtration. I should be able to just change the cartridge in my hanging back filter because the beneficial bacteria is still on my sponge filter, correct?
This is so helpful! But if I were to switch filters, how do I prep the new media?? Can I just let it sit in the current filter for a few weeks until bacteria is able to colonize?
Excellent & very informative video! Well presented. I’m using your video in Homeschooling for a 14 year old boy. You explained the tank cycling so he can more easily understand the process. You’ve gained a new subscriber. Thanks again.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I watched--I don't know how many--videos and still could not comprehend how the nitrogen cycle process worked, but you just broke it down in a way that my scientifically-challenged brain could understand! You also answered my question (in one of the comments from another poster) about how to transition my old filter cartridge to the sponge and bio rings. Boy, do I feel a lot better about not killing my poor fish! SUBSCRIBED!
Under gravel filter and aqua clear 30 on my planted 20 gallon. Aquaponics and DIY bottle filters on my 29 gallon planted tank. DIY sponge filter on my 3 gallon planted bowl aquarium. Great video. 👍
Thank you for sharing this tip. Right before watching your video, I rinsed my filter cartridge under ice cold tap water. I assumed that I might kill all the beneficial bacteria. So then I added double dosages of Stress Zyme to the tank.
Such an educational video! Nice job. I think when I got into fish keeping the nitrogen cycle was one of the more difficult things for me to learn and was what most surprised me
All of these pumps are good to flow the water. But for biological "filtration", a lot of substrate (for example, lava) must be laid without any cleaning.
hello 👋 thank you for the great video. So I have 1 question for you. I'm going to be converting my filters over to this setup . How often would I need to clean the sponges and bio rings Once they have been setup ? Thank you and very appreciative of a response.
This is the BEST explanation break down of Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates. Thank you!! I’m not a newbie to the Aquarium at all but didn’t get into all that stuff when having my Aquariums. Didn’t understand it all and did the best I could. I have one fancy Goldie in a 29 gal tank now and I love gold fish and want to do right by them. It’s a new cycled tank and plan on getting one more but not just yet. I’m in no hurry and want to do this right. What I would like to know is, when do I change my poly floss in my filter box? I’m assuming being that it is a new set up I should wait a good while? My filter box right now is filled with floss then a bag of lava rocks and I also have a few loose lava rocks in my in take space. I know how to clean evy thing using my tank water but when should I change the poly floss? I feel like it’s way to early yet..Ty so much! 😊
Interesting video, thanks. If my filter assembly comes with two of the filter cartridges you dislike, why can't I just stagger and replace one and leave one with beneficial bacteria each time? and why do you recommend not using carbon?
I've been stumbling on this kind of video a lot lately. The video was extremely well put together and very informative. I think when people use cartridges it is mostly for a convenience and theres nothing wrong with that imo. If the tank is setup properly you shouldn't lose your cycle. It is easy to change out a cartridge and the easier a filter is to maintain the more likely someone is to actually do it. I'd say if someone is using cartridges to make sure to have something whether it be the plastic bio grid or something else on the down flow side of the cartridge to maintain the cycle and grow beneficial bacteria and they should be fine. Good job explaining everything! New sub here
PLEASE HELP - Thank you so much for this video! I'm going to buy an aquaclear 30 Gallon tomorrow, hwvr, I just tried polyfiber sheets and biomax balls in my filter today and one of my fish almost died! So I switched back to a new cartridge I had ... is it possible I didn't rinse the biomax balls enough? I even took them out and rinsed them longer and put fresh water in... the fish was still dying, that's when I put the cartridges in and did more water change to get rid of any biomax residue. Fish are good now I think... I have blackmoor goldfish. Wanting to transition to poly fiber and substrate but don't want to risk killing fish again 😞
does this apply to freshwater tanks too? also, is there a way to test the ammonium/ good bacteria ratio? i’m a new aquarium keeper and was just about to buy a replacement for my tetra filter but now will checkout aqua clear and maybe keep that one in there during the transition? lastly, -curious to know the reasons you don’t like that filter too you mentioned lol. thank you!
Bro is speaking facts. I have used aquaclear and tidal HOBs. Problem I have with aquaclears is they don't self prime like tidals do. When you have alot of tanks, it becomes a big pain when you live in the country where power is intermittent at times. I only run HOBs in the tanks i have in the bedroom now. Sponge filters in the fish room. I like HOBs because they don't take up alot of real estate in your tank so planted tanks are real nice looking with one. The other drawback to the tidal 35 is it doesn't have a down tube which prevents the ability to put a pre-filter on to protect small fry and shrimp. I don't use that HOB anymore.
I have an Aqueon Quietflow 20 that I’ve been using on a 20 gal for 2 months. I read a lot about not changing the filter cartridge at all unless it’s physically falling apart, but everything I’ve seen lately suggests this allows for the buildup of dead organic matter/plants (which would increase my nitrates?). Just did a master test run and my nitrates are high, so I’m guessing this is why. Since I have a box of cartridges, I’d like to use them. Would it be safe to change the cartridge to a new one if I left the used one in the tank for a week or so? And continue to switch them in and out this way until I run out and can change to a setup like this one? TIA!
Ottter Creek Aquatics I just bought a 45 gallon tank used with 13 fish, one is a pleco and the rest goldfish and a 4 of tropical fish. I have left the old filter in with the new water and ornaments for beneficial bacteria that everyone is talking about. The temp is set to 78 because of the 5 other fish. However the old filter is black , can I go ahead and replace it only after one week since it is so dirty ??? Should I also leave the heater in at 78 degrees ? One fish store told me to only feed the fish every other day which I think is cruel since they have been fed twice a day before that ?
Great video! How do I convert my system over to changing out the original media it came with to these three media’s you talked about? I have a tetra whisper 30 and would like to swap the media out but don’t want to lose that good bacteria on the media that’s on there now. Thanks!
Put the new media in your filter and drop the old media in the tank. Leave it there for a week or so then you should be OK to remove it. Hope this helps!
Great video. So unfortunately my wife bought a kit that came with the Tetra Whisper filter. I’ve already cycled the tank & have fish in it & now scared to change the filter as a result of losing the beneficial bacteria. Could I keep the old filter inside the tank & still run a new filter cartridge in order to keep the bacteria for the nitrogen cycle? I really don’t want to cycle the tank again & not even sure why companies sell these systems since they are so bad.
PLEASE HELP - Thank you so much for this video! I'm going to buy an aquaclear 30 Gallon tomorrow, hwvr, I just tried polyfiber sheets and biomax balls in my filter today and one of my fish almost died! So I switched back to a new cartridge I had ... is it possible I didn't rinse the biomax balls enough? I even took them out and rinsed them longer and put fresh water in... the fish was still dying, that's when I put the cartridges in and did more water change to get rid of any biomax residue. Fish are good now I think... I have blackmoor goldfish. Wanting to transition to poly fiber and substrate but don't want to risk killing fish again 😞
Hello, I'm a new betta owner. I have a 3.5g Top Fin with a hang back small filter. I've used the carbon cartridge for 2 months and it looks yucky. Please tell me if this is what I should do - add a small layer or course Imagitarium replacement sponge, add craft polyfil, add Aquaclear Biomax rings on top. Is that it? No carbon? Just wash these in tank water regularly?
Yes add first the rings and le them sit for a whole month.. so they can get bacteria.. you can wash your carbon pad with water tank, and toos at the end of the month. And add the rest of your materials like you said.
Hey, I just bought my first tank. It’s aqueon 20 gallon kit. Took your suggestion and bought the jiffy soil. Also put in some gravel and 3 plants. Planning to get a floating plant. How do I know if I need a carbon filter?
So my tank has a fungus and unfortunately I did change the filter. 😞 now I’m trying to treat it with anti fungal meds. My question is this. After the full treatment is done, should I be doing a partial water change before adding the filter back in? I am going to buy the filter you showed. I only have a 15 gallon tank and didn’t know why my fish were dying until I saw it on one of my black mollies. I am heartbroken. I love my fish and want to save the rest. Only have a few guppies and a gourami left.
i have been using filter cartridges but instead of throwing them out i clean them by swishing them in a separate container of tank water and then putting it back in the filter, just as you cleaned the materials in this video. is this a safe alternative?
is filter media a must have? the filter i have now just had a cartridge in it. my tank is cycled but i was confused if i was supposed to change the cartridge because it has all the bacteria on it, my question is if i don’t change the filter how would i clean it?
This video was so informative & I sure learned a lot. One question thought, do you have to replace your poly fibre which has the good bacteria, I put my poly fibre in the box first, then my sponge , then my media & my poly fibre gets so dirty I have to replace it. So I should have put the sponge on the bottom & then the poly & then it won;t get dirty so I shouldn't have to replace it, is that what I've been doing wrong. Please reply. Thank you.
Just changed up my filtration media from the cartridge. I squeezed the cartridge in tank filter box and then poured the water back into the filter. I put in some aquarium sponge and filter floss as my new media. After that I just left the old cartridge inside the tank. Hopefully there is no ammonia spike. I will probaly throw away the old cartridge in a week or when master test kit says I have no ammonia for a few days. Please let me know of I did anything wrong thanks.
Okay, so i own a filter cartridge. Can i just replace it with a sponge or whatever would save my fish? Im new to this whole ''take care of your fish thing''! Thanks a lot :)
I have a question...if one is using the replaceable filter with the bio grid, is there a way to "hot-rod" that setup with the sponges or the (I think) lava rocks? In other words, can I add any media to the pump along with the replaceable filter?? Appreciate any help on this! Great video !!
@@OtterCreekAquatics it's a great approach and one we needed for some time! You should get plants today. Hope they traveled ok, they were nice specimens.
Your awesome! One question, I have the tetra whisper 10 filter in my bettas 5 gallon. Can I stack filter media horizontally (like you demonstrated in this video), instead of using the cartridges? I’m asking this because the filter wasn’t intended to be used that way.
I just bought the Aqua Culture LED 5 Gallon Starter kit. I believe it comes with the Whisper 2-10 internal power filter by tetra. I would like to make a long lasting filter alternative to buying cartridges. Can you help me?
My HOB filter holds 2 cartridges in there and I need to replace them. I was planning to replace just 1 at a time and make sure to rub the filter media from the old one onto the new one. Will this be effective?
Hey man, thanks for the video! What do you suggest doing when a filter you bought second hand craps out on a tank that’s not yet established? (Running for 3 days, used Complete Smart Start). I put some old media from an established tank in with the new media to start, but the filter (Tetra Whisper) is leaking and needs to be replaced. I happened to buy an Aqua Clear 50 just earlier today, so it’s cool that is what you showed in this video:):) I don’t want to start the cycle allll over again.. so... should I put the cartridge from the whisper in with the aqua clear? Maybe instead of the carbon? I’m still extremely new at this and am easily confused lol. I would appreciate your advice so very much.
I have a tetra whisper 20 hang on the back filter. I just put floss in and got rid of my bio bag that came with it that has the charcoal in it. I did cut the front floss material off and kept that in my filter so as to not lose some good bacteria. My question is, I have a fine mesh bag of Purigen next to the floss. I bought a bag of ceramic rings but they are really big. Wondering where you got yours? Can I put that in there along with the bag of purigen or do they both do the same thing? If I can't, can I put the bag of ceramic rings just in the bottom of my aquarium or hang it on the side?
I currently use a filter cartridge. If I only replace the filter cartridge with the bio rings and keep my original sponge filter will there still be any Beneficial Bacteria so I can successfully grow into the bio rings?
is it ok to replace the cartridges on my Marineland 350 without a mini-cycle happening because of the bio-wheel? The bio wheels are established & my canister. I do use dechlorinated water to clean it though.
So, I don't have any access to either of those materials right now. I have a whisper internal filter that I was gona change, bc as u said, I was told to change it in one month. Can I clean this filter the same way u did the sponge?
I was about to change the dual filter on the turtle tank and was surprised when it said only change one filter. Now l understand. It helps to understand the science. I hope this applies to a turtle tank as well as l am (long term) babysitting my granddaughters turtles.
What do you do after you have done this and your fish are suffering from high ammonia issues the newbie need to know what to do to save their fish multiple ways.👊
Great video bro! Great info for anyone that uses cartridges/ hang on back filters. I hot rod my hang on back filters with loads of media and an intake sponge. I throw away the cartridges.
Otter Creek Aquatics yea I wanted to be able to say I’ve tried them. I like all of them for different reasons. The marine land bio wheel I like because of the bio wheel part that gives it some extra filtration, the fluval I like because of how much space you have that you can put filter media inside and I like the better adjustable flow rate. The aqueon the only reason I like it is it is the only one to have an auto start after it is unplugged or power outage but it doesn’t have an adjustable flow rate. So hard to say which is my favorite. I wish I could make one that had all that in one lol
I agree with everything you said. I have all 3 filters too. Had a power outage not long ago when I was at work and I was trying to tell my fiance how to start the bio wheel and aqua clear over the phone. It didn't go over too well hahaha
Mind Blown, we only have a 28 litre tank and some mollies, everything you said to not do, i did. Was just about to change filters, but will think better of it
Is there a bio ring small enough for the filter that comes with a 2.5 gallon tank? I'm seeing If I can make one as noted here (Thanks!) but small scale. Looks like water goes in the top over the filter, then down and back into the tank.
Great video! Thanks! I was just trying to figure out what to do with my daughter's Betta tank... I have always delayed changing filter cartdidges (I thought lazy...maybe it was meant to be :-)) Anyway, I can't find her particular filter cartridge so I was surfing & found this. Can I just change over to the way you said? Shelly is a year old & I don't want to hurt her! Also, Shelly is starting to have quite a bit of brownish film over her castle and such...any advice?
Can I cycle my tank by putting that used cartridge and putting it in the tank, to rest while the new cartridge soaks up some of that beneficial bacteria?
Thanks man. However, I listened to what you said. I didn't put a new carbon carterage back in the hob filter. I fitted it with several layers of sponge and fiber media. I've been doing it wrong a long time. I've been sending my fish through a monthly tailspin. I have 5 tanks. I modified them all with the alternative you suggested. I've learned a lot from your channel. Thanks again!
@@OtterCreekAquatics thank you so much. I've been searching everywhere for that answer. another important question is water changes. I'll stick to 10% changes. is the tap water going to hurt my plants and eco system? feel like water changes is a double edged sword. thank you
@@OtterCreekAquatics I purchased prime concentrated conditioner. I only add 1 ml to my 10 gallon tank, after a weekly water change. I recently purchased a lot of plants to help with the eco system. water needs to changed but I don't want to stress out the plants and fish. i use flourish for plant food. thanks
I’m new to the aquarium hobby, well not really I only have a 30 gallon tank. Anyways, I was gonna replace my filter cartridge, but now I’m just gonna give my local fish store a call haha
So you shouldnt even rinse off the brown goop that builds up on it? Ive got a plain aqueon HOB and while I don’t replace the pad I do rinse it with warm water to get that goopy stuff off it when it starts to hang out.
I really need feedback on this one, I bought an aqueous 1.6 gallon cube, and I know the smaller the tank the worse a mistake can be so I really wanna assure the life of my new tank. So my question is I have a really small hang on the back filter and I want to know if I should replace that cartridge filter with this filter sponge I bought ( cut to size )
Nice tips for those who run hob filters with "replaceable' filter media. I don't use Hob filters at all myself, though I might pick one up for particle removal when needed. Currently I use 2 diy undergravel filters and a huge box filter on my 80g and the rest of my tanks have sponge filters. Except my main tank had a diy in tank "sump" to go along with the sponge.
Bettas like a low flow rate and relatively still water so whatever filter you get make sure you can turn the flow rate down to accommodate that. I know you didn't ask me and where likely asking Otter Creek but I saw a question and answered it lol
So I have 2 filters in my tank the filter that came with the tank and a sponge filter and I was thinking each time I replace the carbon filter with I new one I would put the old one in the tank so the new one would build up its own media would that be a viable method?
