What kind of filter is it?
Usually it's a good idea to keep the carbon pads in for the first two weeks of running the filter in case there are any chemicals inside it after setting it up (That you missed while rinsing).
After that, most filters will simply allow you to replace the carbon media if you want, especially external filters My Eheim is like a giant bucket (it also came with carbon pads) so I'm just sort of mixing and matching there. I haven't changed the pads in it yet, but I intend to use some cheaper DIY media since it's insanely expensive to buy the exclusive materials from shops.

Can you post pictures of the filter and the cartridges mentioned?

Carbon may leak some of the chemicals it absorbed if it's left in the tank for too long (In some cases 3 weeks is too long), which could be harmful in the long run.
But the main point is that you shouldn't waste your money on buying those expensive carbon pads! Large water changes will be much more useful to your goldies, and if you could fit some more bio filter media into the filter instead of the carbon pads it would be dandy

You could possibly make your own media for the filter. Dragonii has some great ideas on that kind of thing, like these scrubber sponges, maybe he could advise you with something suitable for your filter type that you could do easily and cheaply yourself?

Lol I said in my original post its an aqueon, quietflow 10 to be exact. Will post pics too gimme a sec

so, about my filter cartridges then.. lol (: it's high time i change the cartridge according to the box, so should i just go ahead and put in one of the new filters from the pack i bought that are specifically for this filter or return them and go for some other brand (if cartridges from another brand will fit properly)?

also, dragonii, where is this thead about making your own filters; i could look into that, sounds cool!

Just because it says on the package doesn't mean you have to change the filter cartridge, they usually overdo that just to earn money. You'll notice when it gets soggy and will need to be changed.

Dragonii: That's at least what it says in all the books I have, but they could be a little bit old and need an update Thanks for clearing it up though

lol, yeah, a lot of books on aquariums are old. A lot of them are written by people that have heard the same things for so many years that they also believe it. So much in the hobby has been told over and over to the point that it becomes believed to be true.
Just like "Fish only grow to the size of their tank"...

laurencasualty, just pull the cartridges out and hit them with some medium pressure water, garden hose or kitchen sink... just something strong enough to wash out most of the debris without tearing the white poly layer apart. Then stick it back in. When they get to the point that they look old, extremely dirty or falling apart... replace them.


DO NOT wash the blue plastic pieces in tap water. Those are designed to be bio media.

Clean them when the water starts to flow around the filter pads instead of through them or if they begin to look too dirty (usually brown).

That filter is not the best design to begin with. The bio media doesn't have enough surface area. There isn't much that you can do about modding the design either. If it isn't too late to return the filter I would take it back.
Get an Aquaclear. They provide the most bio surface area out of the available hang on power filters.
[image]


That large sponge provides your mechanical filtration and a lot of bio filtration. Then you also have the bio media in the bag on top. Carbon for them comes in small sealed bags and if you choose not to use the carbon you can double up the sponge or bio bag for additional bacterial growth.

The design of the filter doesn't change the pace your tank is cycling at. That's pretty individual and if you're not adding beneficial bacteria while cycling it, it'll be slower.

I'd say stick with the dosage instructions

What are your parameters at the moment? Also what kind of fish are you thinking of getting?

I think I have that exact same filter, scrivens Came along with a 70 liter I got from a friend (Not currently in use)

But when it comes to goldfish, nothing beats an external filter

Looks completely normal to me, but if that's a part of the carbon pad, it's time to remove that if it's been in for that long.
There's obviously no sludge collecting in it since there are no fish in the tank so the beneficial bacteria don't have anything to work with for the time being. If you think it's gross, I don't see why you wouldn't clean it in a bucket of tank water

Fluval C series allows more flexibility and has added wet dry capability. The ability to use or not use carbon or whatever media of your choice using filter bags. Versatility and in the long run cheaper to operate.