maintenance/cleaning of filter

[aprilabaxter]

I was wondering what type of maintenance/cleaning I am suppose to do to my filter. I bought my tank used and already running. It has an Emperor filter. I don't know much more. It has two rollers and two filters of each side. I have been told to change the blue filters every 2 wks. When I do that it clouds up the water. I guess there is a lot of sediment in the bottom of the filter. What about the gray colored filters on the other side. Should I be changing those to?

 

[jumpfrog]

A few questions to go along with yours.
What size tank? Is it reef, fowlr? How much live rock?
These answers will help in answering the question more completely.
In general, change out the blue pads when they become clogged. You'll see it by looking at them or the water will flow around them rather than through them.
I try not to change both at the same time. Alternate between them to maximize your biological filtration. Also, if you're seeing cloudiness after you change them, make sure you thoroughly rinse the new filter pads before you place them in the emperor. This gets the carbon dust out of the pad. Best to change filters when you do a water change that way you can just rinse the new pad in your old water. I've also just rinsed in tap water with no bad effects, but that's not the best way.
The rollers as you call them should never be touched. They help provide your biological filtration.
Good Luck!

 

[saltyrich]

The gray cartridges are for placing carbon or other filtration media into periodically. They will pick up gunk and I'd rinse them of every week if they are not in use.