When Do I Clean My Filter?

[maisy12345]

Hi ,i`m still doing a fish in cycle since been given the wrong advice by my lfs , about three months so far,and wonder should i leave my filter alone until my tanks cycled,if not how do i maintain it without effecting my cycle too much ,and are there any signs to look out for that my filter needs cleaning?Thanks for your patience in answering all my questions?

Forgot to mention i`m still doing daily 60 percent water changes due to my ammonia rising to 0.25

 

[marieukxx]

When a filter needs cleaning the water output will be slower than normal, sluggish. That's a sign it's clogged up. Tbh I wouldn't clean it yet.

 

[fluttermoth]

You probably don't need to clean it yet as you're doing so many water changes.

Bear in mind though, that the good bacteria do cling quite strongly to the filter media, so as long as you do no more than swish and squeeze out the sponges or whatever, you'll lose very little.

 

[maisy12345]

Thanks both ,i`ll leave it for now then.