Cleaning Filter

[dy84]

i Have the aquaone filter, have a few questions on cleaning the filter

1. how long should i use the white wool on the top layer of the filter?
2. how many times am i meant to clean the filter? once a week?
3. Am i meant to pour out the dirty water in the filter and replace it with the tank water? or will it kill of the bacteria in filter?

thanks

 

[bobbicus]

hi

personally dont know about your type of filter - to which you'll prob think why i am answering !!!! - but really i would only clean the (sponges, wool or watever is in there) only when the filter literally does not work!!

as regular cleaning when newly established - can easily result in washing away good bacteria - AND when cleaning sponges etc - dipping in old tank water once or twice will be sufficient to remove big particles - so sponges are able to work again

hope that helps???
rob

 

[crazie.eddie]

1. Use it all the time, but replace it when it gets dirty. The best indicator is you notice the filter slowing down in flow. Though, I would think it would be bad, since you are creating more strain on the motor by having it force water through the clogged pads. After awhile of keeping the canister, you can easily judge how long it takes to get clogged, so you can start to change in before then.

2. I usually clean my filters when I change the filter floss (white wool), which occurs about every 2-3 months.

3. When cleaning filters, you should rinse the media in tank water. The reason is most tap waters contain chlorine. The chlorine would kill the benificial bacteria on the media. Unfortunately, in my case, I clean everything under tap and sometimes soak the items in bleach or PP (potassium permanganate), since I have problems with snails inside them in my 125 gallon tank. I don't mind if they are outside the tank, since I have clown loaches that will eat them. I just don't like them in my filter. So I end up cleaning the whole filter. Fortunately, I have 2 filters so I make sure I don't clean both filters at the same time. I usually wait 2 weeks or more, before cleaning the other filter.

 

[doresy]

If you have the Aquaone 'in canopy' filter systems, are you using the filter media supplied with it from new? If so, then the top portion is a plastic tray with a white wool type layer on top with carbon granuals inside. They suggest you replace them 4-6 weeks I think? Under that you should have a layer of ceramic noodle then finally under that is a thin layer of coarse foam media. Personally, having noted the expense of the top carbon trays, I prefere not to use them. Mine is set up (from the top) with a 1" layer of fine white woolen pond media (squeezed out in old tank water when it starts to look mucky (at water change) and replaced when it looses its bulk) The noodles (I increased the amount) and lower coarse media (upgraded to 1" thick) I basically leave for months and then only very gentle 'in and out dips' in old tank water. As I have 2 chambers in my canopy I alternate cleaning between them. It all must be working as my stats are excellent and I am slightly over stocked....ooops!

Oh yes, if you don't have the canopy filter system ignor my ramblings!.... .

 

[Tayne]

hello this aint about cleaning the filter but it has something to do with a filter, i have a stingray filter and it is way too powerfull to ler rhe fish swim, can i buy a spray bar kit to stop this from happening? please emial me on Tayne_Netherwood@hotmail.co.uk thanks

 

[doresy]

hello this aint about cleaning the filter but it has something to do with a filter, i have a stingray filter and it is way too powerfull to ler rhe fish swim, can i buy a spray bar kit to stop this from happening? please emial me on Tayne_Netherwood@hotmail.co.uk thanks

You would do better to add your own post

 

[dy84]

thx for the help
but i still dont know point 3. Is it ok to totally pour out the filter cannister water and put in the water from my tank? or will it kill the good bacteria?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

thx for the help
but i still dont know point 3. Is it ok to totally pour out the filter cannister water and put in the water from my tank? or will it kill the good bacteria?

water from your tank is fine.... but why would you want to do this? i can't think of any beenficial reason

 

[dy84]

the water in the cannister filter is very dirty, and if i clean the filters it will become dirty because of this water. Or do u think its ok to leave this dirty water?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

the water in the cannister filter is very dirty, and if i clean the filters it will become dirty because of this water. Or do u think its ok to leave this dirty water?

roughly once a month you shuld unplug the cannister filter, get a bucket of water from the tank and squueze out the sponges in it, thus getting rid of most of the muck. if you've not been doing this that's why your water in the cannister is so dirty. a careful clean or two should clear it up.

 

[Tayne]

hello this aint about cleaning the filter but it has something to do with a filter, i have a stingray filter and it is way too powerfull to ler rhe fish swim, can i buy a spray bar kit to stop this from happening? please emial me on Tayne_Netherwood@hotmail.co.uk thanks

You would do better to add your own post

it wont let me for sum reason?