filter change

[stacic8679]

I will apologize in advance if this is a dumb question. So I decided to change the filter cartridge because it seemed like the water wasn't flowing too good. This site has me freaking out about losing good bacteria so this is what I did. I rinsed the new filter in dechlorinated water (the instructions said tap water but I thought that was a no no.) After that I put the new biobag (I think is what it was called) in the filter. Then I remembered the old filter cartridge held the good bacteria. So I have the old cartridge hanging in the water too. Am I going a little too far with this or am I doing what I should be? Never changed the filter media before. If I am doing the right thing how long should I leave the old media in the tank?

Thanks,
Staci

 

[no.1chuy]

i think thats a good idea. did you put in the filter too because i think you want to have water flowing over/thru it to get the full benifits of the good bacteria. i think this way you wont get an amonia spike i read of poeple letting the new cartridge float in the tank for a few weeks to get a bacteria build up befor switching the cartridge.

 

[stoddern]

if the old cartridge is one of the plastic ones with the blue fiber pad and activated carbon inside, what I do since my HOB filter has 2 slots for this type is I took an old cartridge and cut the plastic back (not a hole) just enough to take the carbon out and when I do water changes I just swish it around abit in the old water this way it's like a prefilter that catches alot of the bigger particles and you don't have to worry about the bacteria.

my ammo. is 0.0 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 and my fish are very active and plants are going nuts