Filter Cartridges

Filter Cartridges
How often do I need to change the filter cartridges?

I have a 29 gallon freshwater tank with 6 green tiger barbs, 2 platyes and 1 dwarf gourami. My filter is a biowheel for a tank up to 50 gallons. I have a couple questions. 1)How often do I need to change the cartridges? 2) There is a slot to put in an extra cartridge so you can use two at once. Is this really necessary? Will I have to change the cartridges if I do this? Will my water really be cleaner if I use two?

Your 29 gal. tank carries a low bioload (you haven't crowded it with a lot of fish) so you won't need a double-filter media (one should be sufficient). Change the filter media (the fluffy bag usually with carbon bits inside) when it starts to look cloggy and dirty (this will depend on how badly the particle mass may get in your tank). I generally like to change the carbon (and if the bag is sealed, you'll probably have to do the whole bag) at least once a month to keep the carbon fresh and working. The carbon deodorizes (removes the smell) the water but if the carbon becomes old and overwhelmed, it stops working. The filter media basically just removes the particals, not the ammonia and nitrite and nitrates. You should not have to clean or change your biowheel ever unless you forget to remove it if you ever have to medicate the tank--the biowheel will be one of your major sources of good bacteria (if the wheel should start looking slimey and clogged, just rinse it quickly under clean running (not hot, not real cold) water to remove the clog). 2 cartridges will only do more particle removal (and since your tank should not be making too much dirt, 2 would be overkill). 1 cartridge ought to keep your water looking clean and clear, but you'll still need to do routine gravel cleanings and water changes to keep the ammonia/nitrite level at zero (a filter does not do that).

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