Should I clean the filter bioplate?

[Ajw52508]

Hi everyone, after years of wanting a freshwater fish tank in the house, I finally got wife's approval, went out and picked up a 20 gal Topfin complete starter tank in mid-October. I believe the tank is cycled properly as my test strips are showing acceptable levels of nitrates, no nitrites or ammonia present. The tank houses 7 Glofish, 1 cory catfish, 2 amano shrimp and 2 black mollys.

My question is about the green plastic piece which sits in the filter next to the filter cartridge. I believe it is the bio-plate. Everything I read has said to not touch this piece, and to clean the filter cartridge in the spent water while doing water changes. The problem I am having is that this green plastic piece (bio plate?) is beginning to accumulate sentiment, which is now breaking free from the plate and polluting the tank. Can I gently clean this piece the same way that I clean the filter cartridge?

Thank you for your help here, I'm looking forward to spending many hours on this forum!

 

[Toney]

Clean them in some tank water.

 

[Byron]

I agree. There is no reason not to clean every piece of the filter that comes in contact with tank water. You are not going to remove bacteria; bacteria are sticky and adhere to surfaces in what we call a biofilm. It takes a good effort to dislodge them; rinsing in water certainly will not do this. And the brown gunk you see accumulating are organics and this can clog or even prevent water flow. Keep the filter tubes rinsed out too.

Byron.

 

[Mr. Bones]

I would keep the old filter cartridge in tank water while i gave the rest of that puppy a good scrubbing. The filter is only a small part of the total tank bio, and when you put the old filter media back in the filter housing will recover quickly.

But thats just,