How to Change a Salt Water Fish Tank Filter

One of the easiest tasks of maintaining a saltwater aquarium is changing the filter. The trick is doing it at the right time. Learn how and when to change a salt water fish tank filter and keep your aquarium environment healthy and balanced.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement filter

Instructions

1. Remember that you do not replace a biological filter. These filters are important in building good bacteria in your tank and do not need to be cleaned or replaced. In fact, doing so will harm your aquarium environment.

2. Replace a portion of the mechanical and chemical filter every month. Buy a filter that is the same as the one you are replacing.

3. Replace only 25 percent of your filter medium, if possible. This will help protect the chemical and bacteria levels in your tank. If your filter does not allow partial filter medium changes, watch your fish carefully for signs of stress after changing the filter.

4. Remove the old filter and discard.

5. Rinse the new filter in salt water. Take some water from the tank to do this. Rinsing is particularly important for chemical filters, as it helps to activate the chemicals.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to change your filter just once a month. Doing so more frequently will stress your salt water fish.

• Always refer to the instruction manual that came with your fish tank filter. Sometimes there are special instructions for the specific aquarium filter you purchased.

Resources

• Salt Water Aquarium Filtration
• Changing Your Saltwater Aquarium Water