Filter Maintenance

[Alex1110]

I have a Ehiem Classic 2215/2217 filter. Its been going for about 4 weeks in my newly set up 3 foot by 18 inch by 18 inch aquarium. How do i clean the filter? how often? Thanks!

 

[draugrnz]

It's personal preference really. In my tank i will rinse the media whenever i do a water change so maybe once a week, but dosent matter to much if i leave it for next time, BUT when rinsing your media make sure you rince it in a bucket of your aquarium water.

With the filter itself, just keep an eye on it while rinsing media if it needs a clean give it a scrub with aquarium water. If water pressure drops, then it would be a good idea to have a clean out.

 

[Tolak]

Here's what I do; Fill a bucket with used tank water, turn off the taps on the filter, then turn off the filter. I disconnect the hoses, then drain the spray bar hose into the bucket, leaving the water in the intake hose. Remove the top of the filter. Then put the fine filter pad in the bucket. This is where a home made gadget comes in handy, an empty milk carton with the top cut off, and about a dozen small holes punched in the bottom. Put your bio media in the milk carton gadget, and lower this into the bucket. This keeps the media contained, it's a battle trying to get it all out of the bucket of murky water. Put the coarse pad in the bucket.

The case can be rinsed with tap water, the media gets rinsed in the bucket of tank water. Fill the canister with the media, put the top back on and attach the hoses. Pull the spray bar above the surface of the water and open the taps. Draining the spray bar allows air to come out while the intake siphons water into the canister. Once the water comes up the spray bar line, it's full. Attach the spray bar & plug it in.

Frequency of cleaning depends on the type & quantity of fish, as well as the tank size. If you notice the flow starting to diminish, it's time for a clean. Some people clean monthly, others get by for 6 months.