do you really need to replace filter media?

[jarthel]

I'm talking about media like noodles, bioballs and sintered glass. Do you really need to replace these? They are not like carbon and other "absorbing" material (various media from seachem and etc) that get spent.

I can see the logic in cleaning them as part of a routine maintaing the canister. but replacing them? the only reason I can think of is if there is too much "goo" in the media hampering the flow (if this is possible). I would then use clean media and I can clean the old ones to be reused?

Can you please enlightened me?

Thank you very much

[wombat1100]

Noodles, Bio balls etc are there for the "good" bacteria to grow on and shouldn't be washed as a rule.
Washing them kills the bacteria on them destroying your biological filter.
If they must be cleaned because of excess "goo" they should be lightly rinsed in tank water and replaced in the canister.