So, You Don't Think Filters Need Cleaning Regularly?

[becketlady]

ok...good point. what about the nonchlorinated water. Where we live in the woods have well water only. thanks

 

[DreamertK]

ok...good point. what about the nonchlorinated water. Where we live in the woods have well water only. thanks

I clean my filters with WC water before I throw it out into the garden.

 

[becketlady]

explain what is WC. thanks

 

[coolie]

"Water Change"

 

[sputnick]

ok...good point. what about the nonchlorinated water. Where we live in the woods have well water only. 

Same here and I always clean My filter out with luke warm tap water.. When I do a WC it goes right out the window to the plants below, I can't see the time waisted messing with buckets of water.. 

 

[fm1978]

One man's (or woman's) thorough filter clean is another man's (or woman's) invitation for your tank to start a mini cycle...

 

[Shelster]

Once every 5 months - fluval 306

 

[Axyadbad]

I have two internal filters and clean them every two months, with a month between each one cleaning. I think it's just important when you notice a lack of flow developing. I mainly do it cos my tank is planted and I like good flow

 

[Blobfish]

I stick to cleaning when there's a drop in output too.

 

[Ruskull]

I only clean my canister filters every 2 months or so, when I notice a significant drop in water flow.  Cleaning them every week is unnecessary and possibly detrimental to the health of your tank.  Some Hang On Back power filters do require regular 1-2 week maintenance though since they can be very finicky.  Over cleaning any filter pads can kill off too much of the beneficial bacteria that keep your cycle going.   

One man's (or woman's) thorough filter clean is another man's (or woman's) invitation for your tank to start a mini cycle...

 
 
This guy said it best!  I can't count the times I've had this happen just because I wanted more flow or cleaner water...............

ok...good point. what about the nonchlorinated water. Where we live in the woods have well water only. thanks

 
Well water doesn't need dechlorinator added, although there are supposedly some other benefits of adding it.  My father is also on well water and he's never added it.

 

[frapadoodle]

I am in the, when the flow drops camp as well.
Just a swish or squeeze in the removed tank water. I also hit the intake tubes with a bottle brush and inspect the impeller. I never scrub the inside of the filter.
If a bit of the mulm makes it's way back into the tank I don't mind, the corys go nuts over it.
If I want a polish on the water I just add a layer of floss to the filter.

 

[plectastic]

You clean your filter out...with tap water?!!

 

[sputnick]

You clean your filter out...with tap water?!!

yup, you got it

 

[wrightt3]

 

You clean your filter out...with tap water?!!

yup, you got it
 

I used to do this with no ill effects. The key is to not do it all at once. Saying that, I was 12 at the time and wasn't as... knowledgeable in terms of fish keeping as I am now to say the least. 

 

[Ruskull]

 

You clean your filter out...with tap water?!!

yup, you got it
 

 
Is your tap water from a well or is it "city water," where they add chlorine and other undesirable things?  Chlorine may harm or even kill your fish and/or your good bacteria.