Red Sea maintenance

[Jeffredsea]

I am new to caring for and owning saltwater fish and corals. I have a 34 gallon Red Sea unit, it has a nine gallon sump and auto top off system. My question is to clean during a water change what do I do with the black sponge like substance between the sump and the return? also when does it get changed?

 

[thegrun]

You should be cleaning the filter every 3-4 days or it will contribute to higher nitrates. It's best to use rotate two filters, replacing one and then cleaning the old one and letting it dry, but you can get away with a single filter by removing it and squirting it down until clean and then putting it back in the tank.

 

[Jeffredsea]

Thanks for your help. Really appreciate it.