Hello everyone! Went to a Daddy Daughter dance on Saturday, and guess what ended up happening? I'm sure you don't need to guess, it's why everyone comes here, right? Got our first betta fish and had to get something going quick for him. Went to Petco and picked up this aquarium, and have some questions about the filter portion. Looks to be pretty simple, has a replaceable coconut carbon filter cartridge, then it has this plastic filter media that's a separate piece….. Is the filter media where the bacteria eventually grows? I've done the fish-in cycle for 3 days so far, and I know it will take time to grow the correct bacteria. He's moving, seems healthy, eats good (3-4 pellets twice a day), and I did my first water change today of about 30% with Prime.
I guess I'm rambling, but I want to make sure I understand, if the coconut carbon filter cartridge is there, do I need to change that part often? The filter media should last a year or two, right? This is all new to me lol
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1ingmzf
Posted by Koldvico17
3 Comments
it’s where the majority of the bacteria will live. you dont have to change it. once it’s full of gunk, you just swish it around in a tub of tank water when you water change.
Yeah, i wouldn’t change it out. In the box it might say to but that’s only to have you buying more media. Just clean it out by swishing it in clean water thats good enough to go in the tank every month or so.
It looks like you really care about your fish and did a good amount of research for someone who wasn’t exactly planning for this. Good for you!!! I’m not familiar with that filter so I can’t speak to that, but I will say once your tank is cycled I would look into live plants- they also are a great filter system, and some driftwood or smooth rocks. You could even get some from your yard too, but you’d just have to do a vinegar test first. Anyways it seems like he’s going to a good home, good luck!!