Filter Cleaning

[Marto666]

Hi all

How often should a filter need cleaning? I know all might be different but in gernral how often do other do it - once a month?

Thanks

 

[hanny93]

The filter sponges should be cleaned in TANK water, not tap water every 2 weeks to a month IMO.

I do mine about every 3 weeks, because thats when they get dirty, but in different circumstances it might be less or more time than that.

 

[SchottayB]

If your doing a water change every 2 weeks or something. Then clean the filter then, when you do the water change.

Once you have taken your old tank water out, just get the filter sponges and give them a little squeeze in the old tank water, then pop them back in the filter.

Don't use normal tap water as you can kill the beneficial bacteria that builds up on your sponges in your filter.

Hope this helps

 

[ATK!!!]

I do mine every 5 weeks, it depends on if you have fish that produce a lot of waste as this will clog up the filter quicker!

What type of filter do you have (internal, external....)

 

[Marto666]

Thanks

I do a 25% water change every week and have about 50 fish now (external filter).

Sound likes I will need to clean at least once a month then (using tank water).

Should the sponges be part of the first filtration process, then the ceramic tubes and finally the polywool in a 3 tier filer?

 

[mattlee]

when you notice a reduction in flow its time for a clean.

did 1 of mine last night that hadnt been done in about 4 months. it all depends on the stocking etc, lightly stocked tanks wont need the filter cleaning as much as over stocked tanks.

yes sponges first, ceramics etc in the middle and ceramics and floss in the top basket.

 

[Marto666]

Thanks Mattlee et al, guess what I will be doing today..