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I have an Aquaclear 50 filter and I'm wondering how often I should change the foam, carbon and biomax. I remember reading it when I set up the filter but now I can't find whatever it was written on.

I have an Aquaclear 50 as well. You don't need to change the biomax, just rinse it in the tank water to preserve the beneficial bacteria. I have a container that I fill with tank water before I change it and do a cleaning. I keep the biomax and the sponge in it (I swish them both in the tank before doing this to get rid of as much debris as possible) until I'm ready to get the filter going again. The sponge/foam should last a good while, just clean as above.

As far as the carbon, I'd have to look at the package the extra carbon (that 3-pack) came in. It will probably say a month. The filter is a fairly recent addition, and I've only cleaned it once, three weeks after I put it in the tank (that was about a week ago); I did change the carbon at that time. The filter wasn't very dirty, but it's being used in a 10-gallon tank with a very small turt. And, I did do about a 50% water change half way through that 3-week period.

Thanks. I have a 10 gallon, too, and I'm doing weekly water changes and feeding in a separate tank, so I guess I won't worry about ordering anything right now. Although free shipping is tempting me.

You don't ever really have to buy the actual inserts although Aquaclear products are reasonablly priced. You can buy larger amount of bio sponge, bio max and filter pad and floss is simply 100% poly batting from the craft store. I buy it in bulk and cut to size. Just make sure you don't buy the mildew treated kind.

For me, having carbon in a small tank like a 10-gallon seems to make a difference in the water quality. I've been buying the carbon packs (the 3-pack value pack), but I've also bought a big jar of activated carbon, and I've saved some of the Aquaclear bags after removing the carbon. So at some point I'm going to fill my own for a while. I must admit that I like those Aquaclear carbon packs, though. I like their activated carbon better than I like the carbon in the XP3 carbon packs.