How to change filter pads

[Fishboy1988 2]

Hi. I need to change my filter pads in my Aqua One Aquis 1200 filter. The person I inherited the tank off was using cotton wool but I have don’t think this is the best thing to use so I have bought some Tankmaid pads that I would like to swap in.
 

What is best practice for doing this? I’ve had a lot of conflicting information and would like to avoid crashing my cycle. 

[nomad fish 3]

What's your tank like? If it's planted you should be fine to swap term, but maybe squeeze one in the tank to make sure 

[Fishboy1988 2]

Ok right. I’ve heard you need to soak the new one a bit so it gets the bacteria in it?

[nomad fish 3]

its all about keeping the beneficial bacteria going in the tank if there is enough other places in the tank for them to live they will quickly recolonize the media, thats why squeezing it on in the tank helps, the new media  filters all that water with the BB in it, but if the tank is bare there is no where else for the BB to live

great idea to pop it in the tank for a bit before switching 

[Caryl 223]

Depending on how many layers of cotton wool you are replacing, swap them one at a time with a couple of weeks in between to give time for the bacteria to grow. Putting them in the tank for a week or two before swapping them out in the filter also works.

[Fishboy1988 2]

Thanks a lot both! 

[maxxi1 87]

rule of thumb is no more then a third total filter media at once. As Caryl said, if you change it / them over a few weeks it should be okay 

 

Are you sure its cotton wool and not the white filter sponge, which you may be able to clean in some old tank water and put back in and then replace when it starts to impact your filters flow