Cleaning Water Filters

[Ishyfishy]

Hi

I've got 2x filters (internal types) currrenlty running in my tank, but I am unclear to when I should be replacing the sponges? The manufacture of my filters state every month! I am currently doing a fish-in-cycle and have been doing so for about three months and in this time I have never cleaned / changed the sponges.

Regards

Ishyfishy

 

[Rooster]

Hi

I've got 2x filters (internal types) currrenlty running in my tank, but I am unclear to when I should be replacing the sponges? The manufacture of my filters state every month! I am currently doing a fish-in-cycle and have been doing so for about three months and in this time I have never cleaned / changed the sponges.

Regards

Ishyfishy

Manufacturers exist TO MAKE MONEY.... you do NOT need to replace the sponges EVER, unless they become blocked or damaged !
All you need to do is, when the filter output drops (water flow slows to a point where you notice it !) is rinse the sponges out in old TANK water... NEVER tap water (or the friendly bacteria will be killed)
I do this during a water change... syphon out a bucket of water from the tank, and give the sponge(s) a good squeezing under water until it looks/feels "clean"

Its best not to do all the sponge in one go, if you have one filter per tank, then cut the sponge in half - do one this week, one next... this way you wont wash out all friendly bacteria.

How often you are dooing this depends on your stock, and maintenance regime, some tanks get "dirtier" quicker than others - my breeding tanks get their media rinsed weekly, my main tank only needs it every 3 months or so... only you can tell !

To prove the point, one of my internal filters has had the same sponge for 6 YEARS !

 

[backtotropical]

Hi,

Firstly, the manufacturer suggests to replace the filter sponges every month to line their pockets with more money. No other reason, as it would actually be detrimental to the fish.

The sponges are where 99% of your beneficial bacteria will live. If you replace the sponge, you are effectively throwing away your beneficial bacteria and starting the cycle again.

You should ignore the manufacturers instructions in this case. Clean the sponges only when they start to restrict the water flow through the filter because they are so clogged.

Also, the sponges should never need replaced until they are literally falling apart.

Cheers

BTT

 

[raptorrex]

Hi

I've got 2x filters (internal types) currrenlty running in my tank, but I am unclear to when I should be replacing the sponges? The manufacture of my filters state every month! I am currently doing a fish-in-cycle and have been doing so for about three months and in this time I have never cleaned / changed the sponges.

Regards

Ishyfishy

Manufacturers exist TO MAKE MONEY.... you do NOT need to replace the sponges EVER, unless they become blocked or damaged !
All you need to do is, when the filter output drops (water flow slows to a point where you notice it !) is rinse the sponges out in old TANK water... NEVER tap water (or the friendly bacteria will be killed)
I do this during a water change... syphon out a bucket of water from the tank, and give the sponge(s) a good squeezing under water until it looks/feels "clean"

Its best not to do all the sponge in one go, if you have one filter per tank, then cut the sponge in half - do one this week, one next... this way you wont wash out all friendly bacteria.

How often you are dooing this depends on your stock, and maintenance regime, some tanks get "dirtier" quicker than others - my breeding tanks get their media rinsed weekly, my main tank only needs it every 3 months or so... only you can tell !

To prove the point, one of my internal filters has had the same sponge for 6 YEARS !

do this and you will always be on the right lines

 

[Ishyfishy]

Hi

Thanks for all your sound advice!

So I will keep an eye on the filter water flow - cheers folks!! Your right, the manufactures dont really give a monkeys and neither do the pets shops - hence why I'm doing a fish-in-cycle cos the pet shop said a tank set up for a week is ok to put fish in!

There was one pet shop that said I could put 2x fancy gold fish in a fish bowl and if they died to bring them back and they would replace them - sick!!



Ishyfishy