Cleaning my 5 gallon questions?

[Freyja]

You don't change out your filter cartridge until its falling apart precisely so you dont mess up your cycle. Swish it in old tank water maybe once or twice a month to get most of the gunk out and that's it. The carbon is pretty much useless after like 2 weeks anyway and, unless you are medicating, you don't need the carbon. When you do change out the cartridge, put in the new one with the old one in the filter at the same time for a week or two so that your new one gets seeded.

[moonsand0wls]

^^ :)

[Bettagirl101]

Actually I was thinking of buying one of the sponge filter cartridges and cutting it to size. That way I will not have to worry about replacing it for awhile. Unfortunently it will be a long while before I can get it; no money or time right now. I did get most of the gunk off of it though by swishing it in dechlorinated water. So it should be fine for now until I can get the sponge filter cartridge.