Ex Filter Pipes

[seeley82]

Just a quick one, would it be a good idea to clean the pipes of my canister filters or are things like that just best left alone. There seems to be an amount of build up in the pipes which have been running for 18 months now.

 

[DrRob]

They benefit from a clean now and then. I do mine when I feel like it, or break the tank down, whichever comes sooner.

 

[Mikey1]

unless it is so bad that its restricting the water flow, i would just leave them

 

[mishmash]

You would be amazed how quickly the gunk builds up inside them and restricts flow without you really noticing.  I do mine once every month and notice an increase in flow rate every time.  

 

[seeley82]

great, now comes another question for you...... How would I go about cleaning them, is there any good stuff built up in them??

 

[Livewire88]

great, now comes another question for you...... How would I go about cleaning them, is there any good stuff built up in them??

 
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Great for cleaning out filter pipes, a lot of people make DIY stuff to clean their pipes out, but I just spent £7 on these at my local fish store.

 

[mishmash]

There is nothing good of any value in your filter pipes.  The purpose of the filter is to do what it says on the box and return the water.  Most of us want good flow so any hindrance to that is bad.  I use a double ended spring pipe cleaner that is about 1 metre long.  Run warm water through the pipe as you plunge it with the pipe cleaner.  You will be AMAZED at the crap that comes out the other end.

 

[seeley82]

lol now I am confused a little. Warm water (tap water) is this not BAD.

 

[mishmash]

lol now I am confused a little. Warm water (tap water) is this not BAD.

 
Bad for what ?  
 
I think you probably are getting confused yes.  
 
Your filter media (the sponges, noodles, pads, etc) needs to be cleaned in tank water so you dont kill your bacteria.
 
Your filter PIPES need to be cleaned properly.  Although they will have some bacteria in them it is insignificant and its not subject to the same rules of filter cleaning  Hope that helps.

 

[seeley82]

happy days, still learning lol

 

[mishmash]

happy days, still learning lol

 
No problem with that.  You will only learn if you ask questions, so never consider any question as stupid.  The most stupid question is the one you dont ask