Does my tank filter need to be replaced?

You can take the filter and clean it out. Use a toothbrush or another scrub brush that has NOT been used in any way. Take all parts apart. Keep cord and motor (on bottom where cord connects) out of the water and you should not have to replace it. The blue filters (that are inserted in the device) should be changed atleast once a week. I just take my hands and scrub those. If you use a scrub brush there it will tear the fabric. If you have biowheels, don't clean those. You can just wipe those off with a cloth and be okay. I hope this helps.

Give it a quick rinse in a bucket of tank water. There is bacteria living in your filter that helps keep the waste levels low in the tank. Too much waste will injure and kill your fish. You shouldn't have to replace anything just give it a good rinse in dechlorinated, conditioned water.

The only way you can clean the entire filter is by cleaning it in a bucket of aquarium water. If you use tap water the chlorine will kill all the benificial bacteria that has grown on and in your filter....if this happens your fish will be in alot of trouble.

You should wash it with water from your aquarium. You should never change out the filtration

cartridge. This will kill all the beneficial bacteria and cause an ammonia strike. Just give it a good

rinse with water from your aquarium and make sure not to use tap water. Only from your aquarium. Oh

and don't use soap.

You probably need to give it a good wash out and then change the filtration pad it won't cost a lot