I recently had to replace my filter and bought one from JBL.
Based on reading I did when I first started keeping fish, for years I've been aiming for a 10% - 20% water change, ideally once a week.
At the same time I'd rinse all the filter media in tank water I was going to throw away, so as not to kill off the bacteria.
As I'm an old git, I have learned to RTFM, but the JBL instructions are very different to what I thought was the right way to do things. Obviously JBL want to sell new filter media as often as possible, but I was wondering what people thought of the regime they suggest.
"Regular maintainence and cleaning of the filter is vital ..." There is no mention of how regularly, though that's obviously dependent on size of the filter and tank and the fish kept.
"Only the pre-filter material [foam] has to be cleaned whilst the remaining filter materal must be cleaned at longer intervals" It says to use luke warm vwater, and does not mention rinsing in tank water that is going to be discarded.
Pre-filter material needs to be "changed every 2 months. They can be rinsed once or twice."
The sintered glass bio balls apparently only need to be rinsed every 6-12 months.
And the remaining foam filter pads should be cleaned every 4-6 months and replaced after 2-3 cleanings.
To me this seems like not enough cleaning of filter media, and replacing it more often than necessary.
Based on reading I did when I first started keeping fish, for years I've been aiming for a 10% - 20% water change, ideally once a week.
At the same time I'd rinse all the filter media in tank water I was going to throw away, so as not to kill off the bacteria.
As I'm an old git, I have learned to RTFM, but the JBL instructions are very different to what I thought was the right way to do things. Obviously JBL want to sell new filter media as often as possible, but I was wondering what people thought of the regime they suggest.
"Regular maintainence and cleaning of the filter is vital ..." There is no mention of how regularly, though that's obviously dependent on size of the filter and tank and the fish kept.
"Only the pre-filter material [foam] has to be cleaned whilst the remaining filter materal must be cleaned at longer intervals" It says to use luke warm vwater, and does not mention rinsing in tank water that is going to be discarded.
Pre-filter material needs to be "changed every 2 months. They can be rinsed once or twice."
The sintered glass bio balls apparently only need to be rinsed every 6-12 months.
And the remaining foam filter pads should be cleaned every 4-6 months and replaced after 2-3 cleanings.
To me this seems like not enough cleaning of filter media, and replacing it more often than necessary.