Water Maintenence

[101]

Hey,

My LFS said that i should wash my filter foam in the aquarium water i take out of the aquarium every week. I was just wondering if that is too often.

 

[steelhealr]

Not if it's filthy or plugged up. Washing your sponge in aquarium water will remove detritus and 'stuff' that will make nitrates. The biological filter is in the interstices of the sponge and should not be affected. SH

 

[diademhill]

Any filter foam should be washed in water from the tank but how often depends on lots of variables.

Type of filter?
tank size & stocking?
Media used?

 

[smmetz]

I think that is good advice. I usually just do it every other time I change the water. Since I do water changes about 1/week, that comes out to about every other week for filter rinses. They are always full of nasty growth and gunk in mine.

 

[101]

Any filter foam should be washed in water from the tank but how often depends on lots of variables.

Type of filter?
tank size & stocking?
Media used?

Type of filter = Fluval Plus 1
Tank size & stocking = 8.5 gallons (i think)
Media used = Only Foam

 

[diademhill]

In that case a swish in the water you take out weekly is probably about right.
Do rinse the lower case too as the slots can clog.

 

[WILDER]

I have 2 fluval ones for hospital tanks, i would invest in a fluval two as it will be better than the fluval one in that size tank.
As there is not much room in the fluval one to add floss, and carbon when you need it.

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/bigpics/fluvalplus.htm