Filtering

Question
Hi Will
I have a tetra ex70 hang on back filter for my 55gl tank. it has dual media cartriges (2 Bio, 2 carbon/mesh filters) and came with a tiny strip that slowly turns red to indicate when I should replace the Media. My tank has been up and running for a little over a month and my ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels are almost perfect. Will swapping out both of the filters (not bio) at the same time have any effect on my water quality? Also, how reliable do you think those time strips are?

Answer
Hi Armad,

Don't replace them but wash them off. I never completely change any type of media unless something horrible happend.

On a different note, not only are the timestrips bad, but the filters belong in the trash. they are terrible and die in under 6 months.

Let me know what you decide to do.

-Will