Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?

I was just curious and how often do you think you're supposed to change the water on a 5 gal?How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?actually, you dont' change it at all, unless it's unuseable

when you do waterchanges and you notice that the flow has slowed down on your filter, just simply take out the filter and rinse it either with tankwater taken out or rinse it under handwarm water

no important bacteria will get lost, and your tank will stay stable



if you can open the filter pad, just exchange the carbon about every 2 months, you can buy refills for that



don't fix what ain't broke



Edit*

the thumbs down only prove that people don't research and don't know what i'm talking about

maybe to read up on this here will help

http://fishlesscycling.com/forum/index.pHow often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?I am assuming this is a fish tank. First, what type of fish is it? If it's a gold fish then I would say that the tank is too small for the fish for it to grow properly. But back to your question, most filter need to be changed monthly!How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?If you change the filter, you will lose all the important bacteria and your tank will cycle again. If you have one of those little cartridge filters that come with some small tanks, ditch it and replace it with a sponge or other type of media. You simply rinse it off with old tank water to clean it.How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?Depending on the amonia levels in your tank, and what the water looks like and how many fish and what kind of fish...

Generally, you change the filter every 30 days. (Once a month)

Do not do the water changes at the same time as the filter change. Do those at least a week apart. Otherwise you loose all the helpful bacteria and organisms.How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?Changing the filter media depends on the type of filter you have. If the flow rate is dropping, or water is 'back-washing'/flowing over the media rather then through it- time to change the media. Check your owner manual for filter maintenance.

***Addendum/to clarify: Some filters just need the sponge/mechanical filter rinsed in the tank water, and the carbon changed. Others (like the AquaClear)- have a defined regimin the filter when media needs to be changed out.



How often you need to change the water depends on what kind(s) of fish you have and how stocked the tank is. And if your tank is healthy and established, and your filter is in good order.



If you have goldfish - they will need a *much* larger tank as they grow (around 15-24 gallons of water per goldfish); you need to do a 25-30% water change every 7-10 days.



Use your gravel vac to siphon the water out from the bottom, and get up as much gunk as you can. Do not change more then 1/3 of the water in your tank at a time. At most- you can safely change it once every 10-14 days, at the very least (*absoulte minimum* if your tank isn't overstocked) clean it once every 18-21 days.

***Addendum: too frequent, and you badly stress the fish. too few- and you poisen the fish.



Get a testing kit (preferred), or some test strips (better then nothing). Keep track of the water quality. If ammonia, nitrites, nitrates... are really high- your water is getting toxic to the fish and needs changed.



Remember: your fish are swimming in their litter-box. Ever been in a house where people aren't keeping up with their cats? That sharp burning smell is ammonia, and it is part of what your fish are swimming in. Water changes, filter media changes- are important to the health of the fish and tank water.How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?You change your filter at least once a week to help control the amonia ( fish waste or poop ). And do you have a chemical that helps your filteration? It keeps the amonia at bay and helps your filter and the tank at a good cycle.How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?Ok Partial water changes alot of people say once a week. Which is fine,also once a month is fine. Doing a 10 % water change. Never,Ever tear the tank down and wash the gravel. Use a gravel siphon to clean the gravel when you do your partial water change. over 90% of your good baterica is in the gravel.

Depending on the type of filter maybe monthly changes. If it is a undergravel filter this doesn't apply,if its a power filter it will start over flowing at the filler neck when it needs changed.How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?Why is a betta in a tank?How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?Usually about once a month on the filter change. If you wait until it starts overflowing at the top of the tube, you've let it go too long; assuming you have a power filter.

On the water change, usually about 20% every two weeks, coupled with a quick gravel vac.How often are you supposed to change the filter on a 5gal tank?I do a 1/4 to 1/5 change of water every second week.