Filter Cleaning

[Rorie]

I am being super well behaved, and each Sunday while doing a 50% water change, i take both my external filters to bits and clean them with the water from the tank (while its emptying its self).

The dirt is amazing! I replace my fine 'cotton wool' type media each week as its black!!

BUT, when i hook the filters back up and send the water through, there is a load of cr@p comes out the spray bar. Really frustrating as i just cleaned the tank. I imagine its all stuck in the tubes. Normally while operating the water is really clean and clear, but with the force of water from the newly hooked up filter, it spits it all into my tank!

I could take all my pipes apart every week (i did it 2 weeks ago and they are dirty again) but this, as i am sure you could imagine, would be hell!

SO, does anybody have any hints or tricks to prevent my problem?!

Thanks

 

[twodoctors]

First of all don't replace your filter media until it is literally falling apart as a lot of bacteria lives there.

I have a hood filter. What I have started to do is to put some filter wool in the outlet pipe to catch what you are describing. They comes from the bits that missed the filter wool and slipped down into the ceramic media etc. You'll be amazed how much stuff you have in the compartment holding everything together. Try rinsing your media tray with the aquarium water (or dechlorinated water) the next time you clean.

Adrian

 

[KkAaNnEe]

First of all don't replace your filter media until it is literally falling apart as a lot of bacteria lives there.

I have a hood filter. What I have started to do is to put some filter wool in the outlet pipe to catch what you are describing. They comes from the bits that missed the filter wool and slipped down into the ceramic media etc. You'll be amazed how much stuff you have in the compartment holding everything together. Try rinsing your media tray with the aquarium water (or dechlorinated water) the next time you clean.

Adrian

Im pretty sure hes talking about filter floss, which is fine to change, I also change mine regularily...

 

[Rorie]

Yeh its filter floss i'm replacing, so that is fine. And i am cleaning my filter trays...i strip down my filters and clean them every week. Its the dirt in the pipes i'm talking about. A way to stop that kicking up and spitting out into my aquarium.

 

[twodoctors]

I also meant floss. Of course it is fine to change, but it is not necessary until it is falling apart for the reason above. You can rinse it out and it will become less black. You can never get a used floss white again, but that's not the point. Personally don't change it until it is falling apart or I think its efficiency is impaired (eg cause back flow).

Adrian

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I know it might sound ridiculous but what about using some sort of plastic bottle with little holes in. You could just hold it around your outlet for 30secs when turning your filter back on maybe. If you heat up a needle you vcould make really really small holes in the bottom of the bottle so it can let water out

 

[twodoctors]

I know it might sound ridiculous but what about using some sort of plastic bottle with little holes in. You could just hold it around your outlet for 30secs when turning your filter back on maybe. If you heat up a needle you vcould make really really small holes in the bottom of the bottle so it can let water out

You can do that with a space piece of new floss.

Adrian