When should you change filter media?

When should you change filter media?
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[@MichaelsFishRoom]

🤑www.michaelsfishroom.com🤑

[@denz4133]

Great advice! I remember learning this years ago after replacing filter cartridges exactly as often as the box told me to. I’ve saved so much and it keeps the tank cycled because I’m no longer throwing away beneficial bacteria once a month for no reason.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Yup

[@melody85baby]

Amen!

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

I am down to one hang on back left. The rest are sponge or box filters. The experiment with the coconut fiber in the hang on and box filter is still going strong with no bad results yet and the garden plants love the used dirty medium!

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Nice

[@tracymcn1976]

First time tank owner ... Fluval 57 ltr. (5 guppies and a betta.... i'm obsessed 😁). Just did my first water change and its great to know that the carbon and ceramic doesnt have to be changed as much as companies would have you believe. Super video... thanks 👍

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Good luck!

[@claypugh1228]

You are the man Michael! Honest as always....to a fault even.Don't ever change. If the whole world observed our common sense and honesty it would be a better place.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Common sense is really not that common.

[@patriciabushong3067]

Thank you for the suggestion on removing the carbon in a filter. Honestly never thought of that.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Glad to help

[@carriejaske7662]

Lmfao 🤣 times are tight! Clean it ! Bleach it! Lay it! Outside! 🤣

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Right!!

[@Ukmechanic1999]

Hi Mike 👋, I'm new to the hobby, and have acquired some of my filters from marketplace and one from the shop and both the previous owners of said filters and the shop said to replace them once every 1-3 months after researching the nitrogen cycle and watching this video it seems like common sense never to replace them and I'm not going to, why would anyone want to throw away beneficial bacteria!! Great informative video thanks 😊

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Thanks so much! Good luck!

[@melody85baby]

Thank you for this video. I have a Fluval 407 canister filter. And I used to use it for a turtle tank. Now I use it for a community fish tank. All the filter media sponges were very discolored and yellow and orange from using it in the turtle tank. I'm definitely going to change the carbon. According to fluval, if you're going to change out the stuff in your filter, it's best to stagger changing them so you don't take all the beneficial bacteria out all at one time. I may do that simply because I want to get rid of the ugly sponges that were ruined from being in the turtle tank and also so I can monitor and see what my community fish tank does to the filters. Watching your video has put my mind at ease on how to move forward with my filter. Anyways, thank you for this video. 😉👍

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Glad to help, also no need for carbon.

[@superweeniehutjrs3896]

Hello Brandon! I use the same home depot shop lights you have. They are rock solid and so much better than other alternatives or fishbrands. technically they are even free if you go to self checkout and don't scan them by accident!

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Cool story Jenna.

[@superweeniehutjrs3896]

@@MichaelsFishRoom Thanks Patrick

[@karenr.349]

These physical sponges I always use the same and the ceramics I clean them and rinse them well every 4 - 6 months. I use some media like carbon and others to keep Po away... and they have to be replaced ...I really see the difference..... no need to change everything at once though. Totally agree.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Thanks for watching!

[@JodyOldE86]

If you need good media this guy has it in his sinus's. Keep up the good vids dude lol

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Lol

[@CoolTies]

For my Fluval 206, which has four sponge filters I replace half each change. so there's always two which contain microbacteria and propagate the new ones :)

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Why do you replace them?

[@finderskeeperz8363]

On point, great review

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Much appreciated

[@shawtyshort2648]

Another great video sir!

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Thanks!

[@plushpossum]

OMG!!!!!!! I've never had one get that bad and I've been using Aquaclears for 20 years. Maybe I've been wasting my money replacing them when they get really stained. I do rinse them monthly.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

It’s the bleach!

[@karenhann8956]

Hey! Hey! Good looking! 😎 Love for Taco! ❤️

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Hiya! How’s Hank?

[@karenhann8956]

@@MichaelsFishRoom Hank is doing great! Recovered from the nasty ordeal with the shipping. Very active and glowing! 🌠🌠🌠

[@catfishcave379]

I’m cheap too. I reuse filter floss (pillow stuffing) many many times. Never seen a sponge that bad. Green tea.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

I’m not even that cheap!

[@stewartfooter3580]

Hey mick great vid,i never change my fluval biomax or course sponge,i had a juwel tank for well over ten years and the only thing i changed was the poly pads,even now i only replace the poly carb pads once a month and dont buy the branded ones and save a heap of cash

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Exactly

[@pleco101]

@@MichaelsFishRoom Bob's your uncle!

[@daisyb3799]

Love your videos!!

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Thanks! Tell all your friends!

[@sham3un]

Legend Michael

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Nah, just an old cranky handsome man.

[@sham3un]

@@MichaelsFishRoom 😁

[@randy4805]

Good teaching. Very useful. Would you do a teaching on what you use for air supply?

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Have a few videos already on my channel.

[@pleco101]

Air Supply - I'd tell you but..... I'm...All Out of Love

[@BeeKayCee911]

I replace cartridges with sponges 🧽 it works for me👍

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

If it works for you, it is right for you!

[@Brensters63]

Great video! I have a question though, doesn’t bleaching the sponge filter kill the beneficial bacteria in it?

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Of course it does.

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I use Poret foam in my filters and sumps. After 10 years they look like they did on day 1.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Cool

[@GamecockGuru]

I use sponges. Haven't changed filter media in years.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Cool

[@michaellindsey1543]

I get a little queasy thinking about all the money I've flushed down my aquariums. Back in the day each added aquarium just meant another small noisey pump and a charcoal and pillow stuffing filter. Every weekend all the charcoal and stuffing was thrown away and replaced. If you had enough aquariums the noise from those little pumps was horrible. After over 20 years of that I discovered under gravel. Each tank had two power heads and was vacuumed to death every week. The internet came along and my fish started doing better but I was still a sucker. Pretty soon all my tanks had a fluval canister filter added to the under gravels. Spent more money at fluval than I did at Ford. . . sigh. . . I was switching over to sponge filters when health issues cut my hobby ability way back. I was proud of myself when I discovered manton filters and was going to immediately change over. Slapped myself upside the head and said knock it off. I'll never have more than a couple of sponge filters per tank and 1 pump for whole fish room till I die. . .

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Lol

[@mmadou2947]

When would you change the carbon media? How long should it last?

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

I throw it away straight away. There is no reason for it.

[@flemmingj1965]

i use lava rock and poly Fil

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Nice

[@andreashessler838]

Great advice. What are your views on BCB bags? Apparently good for removing nitrates and phosphates.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Whaa is a BCB bag?

[@bassqueen7134]

I did the anoxic thing in one tank. Took forever to stabilize and I had to add sand . I am growing out an insane number of Bristol Nose and My water in that tank only ever need a change out of precaution.

[@andreashessler838]

@@bassqueen7134 I'm going to give it a go in one of mine. I have quite high phosphates and thought this could work rather than putting chemicals in.

[@bassqueen7134]

@@andreashessler838 Ya phosphates are the only thing I can't measure and the tests are unreliable. I have had a mass death problem with water changes on the same day as my son who keeps fish. Seems like there is something that happens to my water that isn't reported by the water company. I had to find the best way to do less changes for very heavy fish, fish tanks. Bubbles on the surface of the water but no ammonia, nitrite and only at the most 25 ppm nitrate. Phosphates is all that was left. I did the Dr Novak because the plecos eat all the plants and its been over a year since I had a mass die off. The trick really was to cap the undergravel BCB with sand. After that it stabilized in a week.

[@andreashessler838]

@@bassqueen7134 I'm thinking of putting one in my canister filter. I keep cichlids so don't really bother with plants now, so that is one source of nitrate removal gone. My nitrates are 15ppm out of the tap, which isn't that high, but it still means that I'm not starting from zero in a tank with no plants. Phosphates cause algae and I do have problems with that nowadays. I'm strict on feeding and only have the lights on when I'm looking at the tank. Still get it, although it is under control. Mass die-offs are usually caused by toxins rather than disease in my experience. Could be increased chlorine? Bubbles on the water could also indicate some kind of surfactant, which is worrying if in your tap water.

[@bassqueen7134]

Funny I am already here with a bag of 🍉. Hi Michael.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Noice!

[@jsephhitter]

How do you clean a. Light strip for your aquarium

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Carefully?

[@comment.highlighted]

Mmmm… I can go for some Watermelon 🙂

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Yeah, I had some!

[@pleco101]

I changed my filters when I realized it wasn't 1999 anymore.

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

See!

[@phreakerbythespeaker9902]

🍉

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Delish!

[@mannypickard479]

❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Thanks!

[@JMACK1]

I thought that was a toupee in your thumbnail😉

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Lol, you think I would wear one?

[@naegwut]

Mediterranean salad!

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

Meh

[@kjeaquatics]

sup homie

[@MichaelsFishRoom]

My man!