Filters...?

[Haeclark]

Ok, so I read one thing on back of filter box, and another I hear from others suggestions...wanted to clear things up!
For filters...how long do you normally keep each one before changing it? Or dose it just depend on the brand? I heard someone say dont ever throw it away because it houses important bacteria, and to just swoosh in old water to "clean" when it over flows, and filter wants to come out.
Is it usually a good month before filters "overflow & spill out of case"? Or again just depend on type. Before I returned last tanks for bigger better one...couldn't really tell if / when my Whisper filter was bad at all.

[Meatpuppet]

im not quite sure but what i do is just keep an eye on it. when it get full of junk just run it through some tank water to clear it up.
you should only replace it once it starts to fall apart.

[iamntbatman]

Same...I only replace it if it's physically deteriorating. Swishing it around in old tank water to clear some gunk off of it is usually enough to keep it flowing nicely.

If you choose to use activated carbon, it should be replaced at least monthly.

[Haeclark]

thanks guys!
Helps "clear" some things up ;D

[veganchick]

usually about a month, but I would do it a bit more often than that so u don't have a latge build up of algae

[JingleAllTheWay]

I think it depends on what kind it is. The kind I have actually comes with a strip that tells you when it's "done". I'm not too sure if that is accurate...but I usually change mine once a month.

[dramaqueen]

Thats cool that it tells you when its "done". lol

[JingleAllTheWay]

I couldn't think of how else to put it. It's like you press a button on it and red dye goes up a strip and when it's at the top you're supposed to change the filter.

[dramaqueen]

Kind of like some batteries they used to have (it may have been energizer) where you pressed a "button" and it told you how much juice was left in the battery.