http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#1 When do I need to change my filters in my aquarium? Right now I have an Aqua Clear 300 with a sponge filter, Carbon filter, and an ammonia filter. I know your not suppose to change all three at the same time but when do I need to? Mother~of~Two 2009-02-09 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#2 Filters or filtration media? 1) When it breaks down. 2) When the filtration media becomes useless... Hard to say, but you should notice that it gets dirty very fast, it doesn't filtrate the water as it used when it was new, and so on. jan 2009-02-10 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#3 So when do they usually break down? My tank has been operating for about 1 1/2 months. Mother~of~Two 2009-02-10 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#4 I never run carbon but if you do every 4 weeks, same with the ammonia. The sponge needs rinsing with old tank water, never clean it with tap water mickey 2009-02-10 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#5 Mind if I ask why you don't run carbon? I just started getting into Aquarium fish so I'm still new at this Mother~of~Two 2009-02-12 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#6 Carbon is normally run to give the water a polish so that it is totally clear, mine is anyway so I would be wasting my money adding it. Normally I use filter floss which is replaced weekly. mickey 2009-02-14 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#7 carbon is used to remove discolouration, nothing else. My water is clear as I use filter floss in the filter mickey 2009-02-14 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=aquarium-filters#8 Depending on the kind of carbon you are using and your bio load, it can become completely used anywhere from 2-6 weeks. If you are using high quality activated carbon, you are looking at changing it out every 4 weeks or so, but that depends a lot on your bio load. The sponges in the AC300 can simply be rinsed off. No need to keep buying a new one every time. The ammonia filter media I would just remove. If your system is established, theres really no need for it. reefplayground 2009-03-04