Connie,
Don't believe everything you read. These filter companies would have you
changing their filters every week if they thought you'd go for it. Filters
seldom need to be "changed," if by changed you mean exchanged for a new one.
They ESPECIALLY should not be changed during cycling, as you'd be throwing
all the hard-earned bacteria away if you were to do that.
When the filter does start to become dirty, just rinse it in a bucket of
aquarium water you have just drained from the tank while doing a PWC. Filter
elements should last many months -- and even then -- if they'll rinse out
fairly clean they can be used for many more months. Some of ther top
aquarists in the country -- who I know personally -- never change the filter element
for a new one unless it really gets clogged up with waste matter (which it
wouldn't if the fish are fed properly). I might change my filter elements
once a year, if that, and probably not even that often, as once they're
rinsed they're good to go. When you do decide to change them, change only one at
a time if you have multiple ones, to prevent a mini-cycle -- or save part
of your present one to be used with the new one for several weeks.
Never rinse it under the tap, but I think I told you this already.
Ray</HTML>
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