Embarassed To Ask......

[mitch70]

This probably is the stupidest question on here for a long time but here goes.....

I have a Fluval 306 filter been up and running for a few months now, flow still as good as first day but thought on my next weekly clean I should at least examine the filter sponges.

Now here is the stupid question!

Do I empty the water that is in the cannister out or do I leave it in ?

I am just not sure if this will contain beneficial bacteria and will do harm if I pour it away


As i say almost too embarassed to ask!

 

[fluttermoth]

Nothing to be embarrassed about! We all have to learn these things somehow!

Yes, pour the water that's in the canister away. The bacteria grip on quite strongly to the sponges/noodles/whatever, so you won't lose many, as long as you don't clean them too thoroughly, or use tap water!

 

[mitch70]

Thankyou, took me ages to pluck up the courage to ask!

 

[LucyB]

Why are you embarrased?!

Believe me, I have asked some pretty stupid things on here... :stupid:

 

[OldMan47]

Mitch, the only bad question is one that you fail to ask. As long as you have a question, just ask it. If you don't ask, some day we will be discussing things in the tropical emergencies section instead. I think it is far better to answer things here instead.

 

[Mebster]

I remember I used to wash everything with tap water first few weeks with the idea being the cleaner it is the better for the fishes.
Poor fishes. Poor wallet.

 

[Fitzer]

Sorry I'm new to tropical fish keeping, is it bad to wash the filter/plants ornaments ect in tap water ? Thanks

 

[big_sw2000]

Sorry I'm new to tropical fish keeping, is it bad to wash the filter/plants ornaments ect in tap water ? Thanks

Yes the chemicals in the water will kill the good bacteria. Wash your filter out in a bucket of olt aqurium water, befoe you tip it away

Steve

 

[Fitzer]

Thanks for the advice , I've had about 15 fish due in about 6/7 weeks the pet shop only informed me a few days ago if this, plus about making my tap water safe !

 

[fluttermoth]

Thanks for the advice , I've had about 15 fish due in about 6/7 weeks the pet shop only informed me a few days ago if this, plus about making my tap water safe !

So no-one's told you about cycling then?

If you click on the link in my sig, you'll find articles about fishless (and fish in) cycling; you have plenty of time to at least get a head start on your cycle before you get your fish

 

[frenzyfish]

You turned out smarter than me! I washed everything in tap water for a whole year and was puzzled when only the Pleco survived. Eventually I sold the tank. Right Idiot I turned out to be!

I've got another tank now. That's after educating myself here Thanks guys!

 

[nuzik]

Ok ice always washed with tap water!!!
darn what a douche!

Now how do I do water changes is tap water ok as long a as its ttreated?

 

[Fitzer]

Sorry ment to say I'd about 15 fish dead before I found out, my local shop did give me some replacement fish, extra large guppies!

 

[dbanner]

Ok ice always washed with tap water!!!
darn what a douche!

Now how do I do water changes is tap water ok as long a as its ttreated?

Tap water is fine to add to the tank for water changes as long as you add the required dose of dechlore to it. You just shouldn't wash/rinse your filter media in tap water as like fluttermoth said, it will kill any friendly beneficial bacteria that's built up... Which then means you will more than likely have to start the cycling process all over again.

 

[nuzik]

Ok ice always washed with tap water!!!
darn what a douche!

Now how do I do water changes is tap water ok as long a as its ttreated?

Tap water is fine to add to the tank for water changes as long as you add the required dose of dechlore to it. You just shouldn't wash/rinse your filter media in tap water as like fluttermoth said, it will kill any friendly beneficial bacteria that's built up... Which then means you will more than likely have to start the cycling process all over again.

and now i know,what about killing all the slime off my small media in the filter? what should would i do with that?