Biomedia replacement frequency
 

Starting a new thread. The most "recent" related-thread I could find is from 2006.

After the demise of my 7+ year old RTG, I'm now keeping a tetra comm tank.

Dropped by Y618 yesterday looking to replace the CRs in my canister filter. Beside CRs, I'm also having BioHome Plus in the canister. I've never replace the biomedia since I bought them. From what I read on AF years ago (my old account was either deleted or lost during the data migration), biomedia such as CRs do not have expired date and only need to be rinsed with tank water to unclog the surface during maintenance. (quarterly for me)

The Y618 uncle and the young lady looked genuinely surprised when I told them how old my CRs are. They recommend replacing the CRs every 2 years. I ended up buying a 5L tub of Mr Aqua CR. I plan to replace the CRs in both my canister and OHF during upcoming WC. However, I would be keeping the BioHome Plus for seeding BB to the new CRs.

So, how often do you replace your biomedia?

been using my CRs and Jap mat for many years , every 3 - 4 months just wash it with tank water and good to last me until the next time i see it all clogged up..

for changing my biohome or those bacteria house sticks , i just change when it becomes powdery.

for my jap mat & CR so far never changed , dont think it will spoil , but i guess i will change when i see for random reasons ammonia starts to be present with my constant routine and without changing my bioload.. so then i probably take a guess that the media starting to age.. slowly change 1 compartment every 1 - 2 weeks and of course add BB

no harm changing anyways as long change right way and fishes are ok

Thanks for the input!

Good points made. I guess it depends on the bioload. Hobbyists, especially arowana keepers, tend to overstock biomedia on the safe side, for the sake of their precious fishes.

The key to know whether biomedia is working as it should would be to test water parameters. I've to admit. I stopped testing after 2+ years of keeping my RTG. I took it for granted and assumed my quarterly canister maintenance sufficed.

my Biohome in cannister filter become soft and turned to powder if i press it.

the biohome was in the cannister since 8yrs ago:p

I use a type of seachem media that is natural porous stone. I never change it for ten years.

should be seachem matrix/denitrate

It is matrix.

My previous tank setup media lasted me for years never change at all, from start to i downsized my tank. This was my previous setup medias.

ANS Bacteria houses, ANS mini bacteria houses, Mr Aqua Ceramic rings, coral chips, green japanese mats.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7095/7...bfc74744_o.jpg

I never change my media at all. at most is clean it with tank water and put it back.