How often should the filter material of the fish tank be replaced? Different filter materials and different usage situations require a very different time to replace. Here we introduce the common replacement time of filter materials. Contact aquarium supplies wholesale manufacturers to purchase filter materials and get preferential prices from manufacturers!
Filter cotton replacement guide
1.Normal replacement cycle.
Under normal use, filter cotton plays a vital role. It is the first line of defense for physical filtration. We should check it about once every 1 to 2 months.
Because over time, the filter cotton will gradually accumulate impurities and affect the filtration effect. If it is not checked for more than this time, the filtration efficiency may decrease. Then affect the water quality of the fish tank.
Therefore, regular inspections can detect problems in time and ensure that the filter cotton works properly.
2.Replacement cycle when the stocking density is high.
When the stocking density of the fish tank is high, the amount of feces and residual bait produced by the fish will increase significantly. In this case, the burden on the filter cotton increases. It may be necessary to consider replacement within 1 month.
Because too many impurities will quickly clog the filter cotton, making it unable to filter effectively. If not replaced in time, the water quality will deteriorate rapidly, posing a threat to the health of the fish.
3.How to judge the replacement standard of the filter cotton？
There are multiple standards for judging whether the filter cotton needs to be replaced. If the filter cotton has the following situation, it means that it has lost its normal filtering ability. It should be replaced.
- When the filter cotton is damaged or severely deformed, its filtering structure has been destroyed and cannot effectively intercept impurities.
- The water flow can easily penetrate the filter cotton and cannot intercept impurities.
- The water quality of the fish tank becomes turbid. There is an oil film on the water surface, the water has a strange smell, and the fish show abnormal symptoms.
- The color of the filter cotton turns dark brown or has obvious stains.
Guide to Replacement of Cultivated Bacteria Filter Materials
1.Replacement cycle of ceramic rings and biochemical cotton.
Ceramic rings, biochemical cotton and other bacterial culture filter materials play a key role in the bacterial culture chamber. Under normal circumstances, they can be used for about 1 year. But this is not absolute.
If the water quality of the fish tank has been maintained in good condition, the use time can be appropriately extended. On the contrary, if there is a problem with the water quality, it may need to be replaced in advance. The specific situation needs to be judged according to the actual situation.
2.Ceramic ring and biochemical cotton judgment criteria
Judge whether these bacterial culture filter materials need to be replaced. First, see if there is a powdering phenomenon, such as a lot of powder falling off when you gently pinch it with your hands. This means that its structure is damaged and its bacterial culture ability is reduced.
At the same time, if the water quality of the fish tank continues to deteriorate. The content of harmful substances such as ammonia and nitrite begins to increase. After excluding other factors, it is determined that these biochemical filter materials have been used for too long. The function of nitrifying bacteria has declined. Then it must be replaced in time to ensure the stability of the water quality of the fish tank.
Activated carbon replacement guide
1.Replacement cycle
Activated carbon is mainly responsible for absorbing odors, residual organic matter, etc. in the fish tank filtration system. It usually needs to be observed once every 3 to 4 weeks.
Due to its limited adsorption capacity, it will gradually become saturated after a period of time, so regular observation can determine whether it can still work effectively.
2.Judgment criteria
If you find that there is an obvious odor in the fish tank, and it still cannot be improved after water changes, it means that the activated carbon adsorption is saturated and can no longer play a role. At this time, you need to replace it with a new activated carbon in time.
In this way, the efficiency of the filtration system can be guaranteed, and a healthy and high-quality living water environment can be created for the dragon fish.
Bacteria house replacement guide
The bacteria house is similar to a ceramic ring, and it is generally considered to be replaced in about 1 year. During use, if it is found that its surface is too dirty and the water flow is not smooth. This will affect its bacterial culture effect.
Or the water quality test shows that the nitrification function has decreased. For example, indicators such as ammonia nitrogen and nitrite are abnormally high. It also needs to be replaced in advance to maintain a good ecological environment in the fish tank.
Biochemical ball
Biochemical ball is usually replaced every 1 to 2 years. If the surface is severely worn and the internal structure is damaged, its bacterial cultivation ability will be greatly reduced.
Or when the bacterial cultivation effect is significantly reduced. If the water quality is turbid or there is an odor, it should be replaced in time. Ensure that it can function normally.
Soft water resin
Soft water resin is generally replaced every 3 to 6 months. The specific replacement time depends on the hardness of the raw water and the exchange capacity of the resin.
When the color of the resin becomes darker and the exchange capacity decreases. When the hardness of the fish tank water cannot be effectively reduced, it needs to be replaced.
Because if the water hardness does not meet the standard, it will have an adverse effect on the survival of some fish.
Medical stone
Medical stone can be replaced every six months to one year. If there is a lot of dirt on the surface and the adsorption performance is reduced, it can be replaced in advance.
But be careful when replacing, don’t replace all at once. Avoid excessive fluctuations in water quality, which will cause discomfort or even harm to the fish.
Precautions when replacing fish tank filter materials.
Precautions when replacing fish tank filter materials
1.Avoid changing all at once
Ceramic rings, bacterial houses and other biochemical filter materials should never be replaced all at once. These biochemical filter materials are attached with a large number of nitrifying bacteria that are crucial to the stability of the fish tank water quality.
Replacing all at once will cause the digestive system to collapse instantly and the water will quickly become turbid. It is generally recommended that the amount of each replacement should not exceed one-third of the total amount of biochemical filter materials. And the replacement should be completed in stages within at least 3 to 7 days.
For example, if there are 10 bacterial houses in the fish tank. Then it is more appropriate to replace about 3 to 4 at a time.
Let the remaining filter materials continue to maintain the population of nitrifying bacteria in the fish tank. Give the nitrifying bacteria enough time to gradually migrate and reattach and reproduce on the new filter materials.
Thereby ensuring that the water quality of the fish tank remains stable during the filter material replacement process. Reduce the impact on the fish’s living environment.
2.Soaking is required before replacing the fish tank filter material
It is best to soak the bacterial filter material for 1 to 2 days before replacing it.
This is because if the new bacterial culture filter material is directly placed in the fish tank, it will absorb a lot of water, thus affecting the water quality of the fish tank.
Soaking can make it fully absorb water and reduce the impact on the water quality of the fish tank. Ensure the stability of the fish tank ecosystem after replacing the filter material.
3.Key points for classification replacement
According to the different types and usage conditions of the filter material, it is very important to replace it by classification.
For example, when the cotton is dirty and rotten, you can replace the cotton alone.
If the bacterial house, volcanic stone, etc. feel smooth, it means that the bacterial culture effect may decrease, and it can be replaced at this time.
Such targeted replacement can not only ensure the filtration effect, but also avoid the collapse of the digestive system. Maintain the ecological balance of the fish tank.
4.Regularly observe changes in water quality
After replacing the filter material, closely observe the changes in the water quality of the aquarium. Especially the levels of ammonia and nitrite.
Because the replacement of the filter material may have a certain impact on the ecosystem of the fish tank. If the water quality deteriorates, it may be necessary to adjust the replacement strategy. Such as increasing the number of water changes, adding nitrifying bacteria, etc.
To ensure that the fish live in a good water quality environment.
