Filter Media

[Ozzy Ozborne]

I have just changed the white floss filter pad in my unit........should i squeeze the dirt/brown gunge out of it back into the tank water or filter?

thanks

 

[Jdubz]

There is no point it will just go back into the filter again....

When cleaning a filter get a clean bowl and some tank water and squeeze it in the bowl a couple of times then put the element back into the filter and chuck the brown water away...that keeps the bacteria and cleans the C**P out of the filter as well...


Jake

 

[paulbr1]

I agree with JD - I wouldn't change a filter or floss unless it dropping to bits, always wash (in tank water) and re-use if feasable.

Paul.

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Ozzy,

Your question doesn't quite give us enough info to answer fully (or I'm just forgetting, lol) but how far along are you with this filter? How many days since tank start? Fish-in or Fishless, if cycling? Or is it a running tank? Normally one avoids cleaning the filter during cycling but then begins regular cleaning perhaps a month after the cycle has successfully finished, unless there is flow reduction prior to that. I agree with the others that its important to understand that media (even polyfloss, loose or in pads) is better just squeezed out and kept until it is seriously falling apart. There -are- situations where its helpful to squeeze out media in a tank but these are usually when a tranfer of beneficial bacteria is desired between tanks, not within the same tank.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Ozzy Ozborne]

Iam in week 6 of a fish in cycle witha new tank and filter (Juwell 180 Vision)
Hope that helps?

thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

in a cycle you don't clean the filter media unless it's absolute necessity, so leave it alone unless the flow rate has dropped significantly in which case take a bucket of tank water, gently swirl half of the filter media in the bucket to remove the worst of the detritus and then add it back to the filter and set it all going again.

Once you're past the cycle you don't need to be half as careful as this but the bacteria colony is quite delicate for you right now.