HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey everyone!

I have a 40 gal breeder freshwater fish tank. Here is the power filter I use that hangs on the back:

https://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Pengu ... 7874&psc=1

I use 4 filter cartridges and a Seachem Purigen pouch. There are 2 rotating bio-wheels in the front that are never washed and never removed. I also don't wash the filter canister itself. When I only had 1 goldfish, I would just rinse out all the filter cartridges and pop them back in. After I rescued 3 addition gfish, I began rinsing 2 of the cartridges and completely replacing with new the other 2.

To save some time, would I be okay to completely throw all 4 cartridges out when I do a water change, and replace with new? They get pretty gross with 4 large gfish. The bio-wheels will always remain untouched and unwashed, as will the filter canister to keep the good bacteria growing. I also haven't washed my aquarium ornaments since I moved over a year ago. Will all that be enough good bacteria not to throw my tank cycle out of wack?

Thanks in advance!

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No, I would not recccomend doing so. Replace one (or two) every couple of weeks and then wash the dirty ones in a bucket with old tank water to keep bacterial colonies alive. Bacteria is what keeps the tank cycled, throwing the cartridges is throwing away the bacteria.

aussieJJDude wrote:No, I would not recccomend doing so. Replace one (or two) every couple of weeks and then wash the dirty ones in a bucket with old tank water to keep bacterial colonies alive. Bacteria is what keeps the tank cycled, throwing the cartridges is throwing away the bacteria.

That's what I've been doing so I'll just continue with that, thanks so much fish friend!

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All good. If you can, look into getting a reusable media for your filter (may need to DIY) or consider upgrading to a filter that allows customised filter media (aka, non cartridge filter). It will save money in the long run replacing the cartridges.


But honestly, the only time e cartridge should be replaced is when it falls apart. A brown tinge once cleaned of debris/waste is normal, think of it as your bacterial colonies being beige in colouration.

aussieJJDude wrote:All good. If you can, look into getting a reusable media for your filter (may need to DIY) or consider upgrading to a filter that allows customised filter media (aka, non cartridge filter). It will save money in the long run replacing the cartridges.


But honestly, the only time e cartridge should be replaced is when it falls apart. A brown tinge once cleaned of debris/waste is normal, think of it as your bacterial colonies being beige in colouration.

I'll have to look for the type of filter stuff you mentioned, thank you. It used to be so easy with one goldfish. I rarely, if ever had to throw cartridges away. I'd use the same 4 for months, just rinsing them when needed. When I added the other 3 gfish, the cartridges get pretty nasty pretty fast. I'm hoping to upgrade their tank eventually, as long as I can stop rescuing crabs and using free space for them lol.
Thanks again!

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