How Should I Clean An External Filter

[seabear]

Last time (couple years ago... ) when I cleaned my external filter with hot water (Yes that was stupid), I almost killed all my fish and I didn't want to clean it again. But I think it's really time to clean it and I want to do it right this time.
I know that deep cleaning of your filter will kill your fish so this time my objective is just to get rip of the filthy stuff in the filter using same temperature water to spray them out, put everything back in and that's it. I will also change 30% water after the cleaning. Can someone tell me is this going to be ok, any comments and advice is welcome.

 

[balajake]

you really only have to swish your filter pads in old tank water. the rest of it would be fine to clean in hot water as long as you keep the pads away from it. when i do my hoses i put them right up to my hot water tap and run really hot water through the piping whilst massaging them ( it loosens the poop and gunge)

your filter will need a good clean every couple of months and your filterpads rinsing every 2 weeks to a month. you only ever do this in old tank water when doing a water change or clean dechlorinated water

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Wash all the media in tank water (removed from the tank - obviously). Don't go overboard on the sponge, give it a good swill around and a couple of gentle squeezes and that should be enough. If you have more than one sponge you could clean one a day to ensure that you don't knock the bacteria back too much.

 

[minnnt]

A couple of years ago? Is it still working? Blimey!!!

10 litres of water in a bucket and quickly rinse the media in it. Squeeze it a few times then put it back in your filter. Clean all inside the filter and the impellor and shaft. Becareful not to damage the shaft though as they are usually ceramic and can snap if mis-handled.

Have fun with the new improved flow, should be a world of difference to what it is like now.

 

[balajake]

if you dont already you really should do those water changes on a weekly basis. if your fish aren't used to it then i'd do maybe 5% a week for a while then build up to 10% for a month or so then abit more until they can handle maybe 30% per week

 

[seabear]

Well, after the last time I cleaned the filter/sponge with hot water (I did a very good job on the sponge, made it look almost new…) 2 years ago, I lost more fish and only 4 survived. I do regular water change of 25% and suck up stuffs in the gravel, I didn't get any more fish until few weeks ago so the water was still running ok.
So the most important part is the sponge, right? I will make sure I don't kill it this time. Thanks guys!

 

[balajake]

Well, after the last time I cleaned the filter/sponge with hot water (I did a very good job on the sponge, made it look almost new…) 2 years ago, I lost more fish and only 4 survived. I do regular water change of 25% and suck up stuffs in the gravel, I didn't get any more fish until few weeks ago so the water was still running ok.
So the most important part is the sponge, right? I will make sure I don't kill it this time. Thanks guys!

its the chlorine in fresh tap water that kills the vital bacteria in your filter pads. the probable reason why your fish died is because of ammonia and nitrate when your fish poo and pee in the tank builds up and poisons them, your filter pads build up good bacteria over time that neutralizes ammonia and nitrites. this is why we clean our pads in dechlorinated water or tank water.

 

[seabear]

Do you use vitamin C to dechlorinate tap water?
I thought there were enough good baterias in the gravel to take care of the ammonia, so I gave the whole filter and pads a hot bath. Another reason I don't clean it much it's because it leaks more or less every time after I put it back, then I had to spend all my free time looking at the filter…
I have my tank for more than 15 years, the light switch is not working any more I have to unplug it every night and the filter is 10 yrs old. I need to save money to upgrade some equipments

 

[balajake]

Do you use vitamin C to dechlorinate tap water?
I thought there were enough good baterias in the gravel to take care of the ammonia, so I gave the whole filter and pads a hot bath. Another reason I don't clean it much it's because it leaks more or less every time after I put it back, then I had to spend all my free time looking at the filter…
I have my tank for more than 15 years, the light switch is not working any more I have to unplug it every night and the filter is 10 yrs old. I need to save money to upgrade some equipments

You need to buy aquarium dechlorinator from petco or somewhere like that.

 

[micko]

WOW!!!!!
I'm impressed. Two years without cleaning the filter and its still running? Even it being 10 years old!

What brand is this filter?

As others have stated, give the pads a quick swirl about, not too much and assemble it all together again.
You can wash the plastic trays (if there are any) in hot water to get any gunk off it but definitely not the sponges/ceramic balls/noodles/bio balls.

I clean my filter once every month. It could go longer I'm sure but I like to keep on top of it.

 

[seabear]

WOW!!!!!
I'm impressed. Two years without cleaning the filter and its still running? Even it being 10 years old!

What brand is this filter?

As others have stated, give the pads a quick swirl about, not too much and assemble it all together again.
You can wash the plastic trays (if there are any) in hot water to get any gunk off it but definitely not the sponges/ceramic balls/noodles/bio balls.

I clean my filter once every month. It could go longer I'm sure but I like to keep on top of it.

I am a lazy fish keeper I've never cleaned it more often than once a year.
It's a Cascade, not sure what number but my tank is 45 gallon. It's better than the Fluval I had, the only problem is the joins leaks more or less after I assemble after cleaning it.
I will stay away from hot water on all the parts this time to be safe.