Cleaning A Bio Filter..

[severina]

Ok...so I've been running my tank on the biological filters alone and didn't realize the importance of mechanical filtration. Now my biofilter is covered in brown goop, and not running as smoothly. How do I get the goop out without cleaning off the bacteria too? Probably a stupid question, and there's probably no way to do it.

The only other thing I can think to do is stick some mechanical filtration in there and just keep vaccuming hoping that it'll unclog itself without the extra debris.

Any help?

 

[Breeze7050]

I think I know what you are asking... but Im not positive..
You can rinse it very well in a bucket of tank water - say when doing a water change. That way you won't lose the bacteria. Don't use tap water though or you will kill the bacteria. eek. HTH and it answers your question.

 

[severina]

Ah! I thought that would take off the bacteria too. The thing is...I'm afraid the brown goop is a little too dense to be washed away with rinsing...but I guess I could do it a little with every water change and eventually it'll be gone..

Thanks

 

[Breeze7050]

As long as you use tank water, you will be fine. I would clean it in a bucket with the water from your water change. I rinse 1 of mine each water change in the bucket. Glad to be of help.

 

[raptorrex]

Ok...so I've been running my tank on the biological filters alone and didn't realize the importance of mechanical filtration. Now my biofilter is covered in brown goop, and not running as smoothly. How do I get the goop out without cleaning off the bacteria too? Probably a stupid question, and there's probably no way to do it.

The only other thing I can think to do is stick some mechanical filtration in there and just keep vaccuming hoping that it'll unclog itself without the extra debris.

Any help?

if your tank is mature, you will get away with doing a big clean on your filter. if it is not, i would warn caution. change or clean your filter one bit at a time. giving the bacteria time to rebuild after the clean.

 

[Tolak]

Your nitrifying bacteria adhere to the filter media pretty good. Short of continually wringing the media you will have no problem with giving the filter media a good rinsing without loosing your nitrifying bacteria. I squeeze & rinse the daylights out of my bio media in tank water without a problem.

 

[severina]

Great! Good to know, guys! Thanks

 

[Gazoo]

What type of filter do you use severina?