I HATE these filter cartridges

[Stephen-jwci]

my dad is a super clean guy, always wants everything pristine. when we had a fish tank he wanted to clean all the gravel and decorations to get every bit of algae off, and he replaced the filter cartridges all the time. then he was confused why the fish kept dying while i tried to explain that algae and bacteria are actually good for the health of a tank

[maximgalitsyn]

I think you just single-handedly increased your viewers’ goldfishes lifespans by at least like 5 years haha

[melissamayhaps]

I **know** he's always heard how pretty his eyes are, with the natural eyeliner look, and I've avoided this comment for years, but I'm just sleepy-drinky enough to mention it now. Lol

[TanninValerian]

If for whatever reason you can't get the mesh bags and other parts (I've been on that situation), you can use the disposable filter until it's literally falling apart. And when you absolutely have to change the filter and not a moment before, rinse your old filter in a bucket of old tank water during a change and soak your new filter in the dirty nasty water to seed the beneficial bacteria. I did that for the longest time. It wasn't perfect but it was certainly better than losing all of my bacteria.

[deoyx]

EXACTLY. This is why I hate those filters that are clipped onto the side of the tank. Currently on my tank (10 gal) I have a small bucket filter meant for a turtle tank. It's about the size of a paperback book. I have not had any deaths or water quality issues since changing my filter and switching to sand.

[Marilan]

Sponge filters take up super large space that’s why I like hob filters

[oxylepy]

Thats why I prefer sumps. Run some pvc with some crate and removable tops; have one for sponges, media, heat, *additives, *uvc, *activated charcoal and then have that go into a return compartment. Plus you can have your return have a drain and then do your water changes by slowly adding water back in before the heat compartment. *All these are optional and even if you install those compartments you don't need to actually have those things in there unless you want/need them.

Helps with rings from evaporative losses since the water line is established by your overflow, so losses are replaced and ultimately end up in the return compartment.

You can even go crazy with protien skimmers, refugiums, moving media, whatever your little heart wants to add in, but honestly a sponge followed by some media surface is all you really need

[MeanGinia]

I've used these filters for years. The back filters work great to remove larger particles. I don't throw them away, I simply spray off the gunk, with cool water, and reuse them. I also like them for taller tanks. My 45 hex always ran best with a filter on top and bottom of the tank.

[notpok]

I actually like to have these filters, but I only change the cartridge if I absolutely have to (If it’s literally falling apart or something) and I rinse and clean the cartridge in some tank water every month or so. I usually end up changing the filter cartridge every 8 months to a year, and when I put the new cartridge in I let it absorb some tank water for a day or so.

[quki]

Thank you for this. As a newbie I forget or get confused- especially when shopping for tank Maintnence stuff. I accidentally purchased a bag of seachem (purguen )sp? And decided to try it out and OMG. My dirted planted tank use to
Look like a cup O’ tea- eve after water changes. In 12 hours it looked crystal clear! ❤ that stuff.

[katlynbrown]

No wonder why my fair ground goldfish lived for like eight years lmao.

[datwolf]

Omg thank you for this I had been replacing the ones in my 4 tanks for months now. Thank you!!

[kiwimango]

I have a cartridge filter but I fixed that problem by still using them without the blue part and adding bio rings in a mesh bag and also a sponge. The cartridge definitely helps as it has activated carbon with makes your water very clear. You can replace it every 2 months. The bio rings and sponge should not be replaced.

[psycobasschick]

If the tank is stable, it's not going to crash anything unless you are doing extreme water changes. As someone who is running 7 of my 8 current setups with hang on backs or internal filters, it's more cost prohibitive. All of mine have pre-filters on the intakes to reduce large particles from clogging anything. If I buy a new unit, I use the included filter until it's no longer working (nothing goes through) and then swap for filter pad and media bags with whatever I decide it needs.

My mom buys those in bulk. The ammonia spike she had in her tank was from a feline temper tantrum and cat pee will definitely kill all your fish no matter how stable it was to begin with. Those filters can be a gateway to the hobby and help those who can't make their own or buy some of the other options stay in the hobby. I learned with those and it has helped me understand how things should function

[mpd]

I personally have small filters that use this when I replace my cartridge I just sit the new cartridge in the tank or my other tanks for a few hours before replacing never had any issues or deaths from this he is 100% correct just hope what I do can help others who can’t get some other filters👍

[thepuffinpanda]

I had a filter like that for my beloved goldfish. One day, upon arriving home from work, I found that his "dirty" filter (that wasn't even all that dirty yet) had some how been so clogged that no water was going through it anymore and somehow created some kind of surface tension with the holder that it was in so the pump was actually pumping water out or his tank rather than recycling his old water. He only had 2 inches of water at the bottom of his tank. I ran to refill his tank and went to the store to get a new filter and bigger tank for him but he freaked out and died. RIP buddy. I still miss you. You were the coolest goldfish ever and you were my friend and kept me company when I moved out of my parent's house so I wouldn't feel alone. ❤️

[THEnelsonbruhs]

If you want a cheap alternative, poly-fil makes excellent filtration for super cheap.

And you can use lava rock from Lowe’s or something as filter media if you rinse it off well.

[oliviamalerich]

This is why I love canisters so much. There’s so much room for customization of filter media. Just stuff some ceramic media and poly fill in there and your good to go.

The only HOB I like are the aqua clears. They work just as well as most canisters imo.

[warrior_]

Me too I used to clean and reuse them but sponge filters are so much better that get the ceramic media

[luciencreates]

I always just... Rinsed them... Until they started to fall apart