Fluvel Filter

[james morrisontoxic2]

how often should the above be cleaned,and which is the best way to do it

 

[three-fingers]

What model of fluval filter do you have?

How often a filter should be cleaned really depends on how fast it gets dirty enough that the flow is slowed down, or that the mechanical media gets so clogged up it stops picking up dirt particles, so any be aware that any answers will be estimates based on experiance . What media does the filter have in it, how big is the aquarium, and how many of what kind of fish does it have in it?

For the sponges in an internal or external filter (which perform both mechanical and biological filtration), it is best to squeeze them out in old tank water while doing a water change this way most of the dirt is removed but the bacteria isn't killed (a common mistake is to wash out filter media under tap water, which can cause problems since the tap water kills bacteria).

For biological filter media like cermic hoops or plastic bioballs, if these get very dirty they can be rinsed under old tank water only, but ideally they should be placed after the mechanical media in the filter so that the mechanical media (like filter floss/wool) can trap dirt particles before they cog up the biological media.

Fort mechanical media, you can just replace it with new stuff when it gets dirty, or give it a thorough rinse in the sink.

Any chemical media (like carbon) should be replaced frequently, if you really must use it I would replace it weekly. But personally I find you much better off just removing it and replacing it with more biological and/or mechanical media.

 

[james morrisontoxic2]

thanks for that mate most interesting