Help! Did I Clean My Filter Right?

[marieukxx]

It's secondhand and I decided to have a go at cleaning it today. It has no instructions so I just had to open it and just see.

Anyway I turned it off then quickly slid the canister off. The top came off of that and inside was one big rectangular sponge with a hole right through the middle so it like slotted on the pole. I slid it off quickly then dunked it in the tank water I had siphoned into my bucket. I didn't want to be too thorough with the cleaning in case I lost my good bacteria so I just dunked it and gave it a squeeze out. It was filthy the water turned all brown almost black and it had loads of sedement.

I popped it all back together quickly and switched it on but during the process the sponge water dripped in the tank a bit and it went all murky brown.

All this took less than 5 minutes. Did I do this right? I know it doesn't have to be done all the time but I wanted to get it over with as it's been on my mind if I knew what to do. It was filthy but I didn't clean it much. I've heard people talk of two sponges as well but this had one big one. It might not be the exact model but it looks exactly like this one:
http/www.paddockfarm.co.uk/product.asp?PID=229

 

[fluttermoth]

It sounds like you've done fine. You can probably do it a little more thoroughly next time; the good bacteria do cling on quite strongly to the sponges, so you won't lose too many. You want to get rid of most of the 'mulm' (old leaves, fish poop etc) as that will just clog the filter eventually.
You can always cut your sponge in half and do one more thoroughly one time and the other the next to put your mind at rest.

 

[marieukxx]

It sounds like you've done fine. You can probably do it a little more thoroughly next time; the good bacteria do cling on quite strongly to the sponges, so you won't lose too many. You want to get rid of most of the 'mulm' (old leaves, fish poop etc) as that will just clog the filter eventually.
You can always cut your sponge in half and do one more thoroughly one time and the other the next to put your mind at rest.

Thanks yeah it was filty but being my first time doing it I wasn't sure. I'll give it a better clean next time. Also where would I put the filter floss? All round the sponge?

I noticed not long ago a bloody platy on the foor by the tank. He looked dead but I popped him back in and he's swimming around. I dunno if he'll make it though.

 

[OldMan47]

You did a fine job Marie. Next time take a few minutes to also clean the impeller and the well that its magnet sits in. There is no reason to avoid a good cleaning of those parts since they do not contain any bacteria that you care about. Be careful not to lose the little rubber end caps from the impeller shaft and not to actually damage the impeller. Impellers can be quite fragile.