You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up
When I had just fish (no plants) I was cleaning the canister filter once every 5 months. Now that I have plants in the tank do I need to be cleaning the filter more often? I can only imagine the answer is yes...
Excellent imagination. Plants produce waste which accumulate in the filter. This organic waste will equal or exceed that produced by the fish and is as toxic as fish/food waste as it decays and converts to ammonia. This places extra stress on the bacterial colonies and blocks filter flow throughput.
Is there a rule of thumb for cleaning filters or at least how often? I am guessing that because I am less than the 10x turn over per hour that I should potentially be cleaning it more often?
You could try once a fortnight and see how dirty it gets after 2 weeks. If it seems to be still relatively clear, drop to once every 3 weeks, once a month. I should clean more often than I do too, but I'm quite lazy... I intend to buck up my ideas though
As long as you do it corrently. Rinse all the bio media in tank water you've just syphoned out. Tap water will kill off your bacteria. Also do the same with the sponges, though you should be able to do that under the tap I still prefer to do it in tank water. Every last bit of bacteria is good
As long as you do it corrently. Rinse all the bio media in tank water you've just syphoned out. Tap water will kill off your bacteria. Also do the same with the sponges, though you should be able to do that under the tap I still prefer to do it in tank water. Every last bit of bacteria is good
I tend to clean the pipes/hoses monthly and at the same time squeeze out one tray of sponges (in old tank water of course.) Next month I do one of the other sponges.
I used to rinse and squeeze all of the sponges monthly at the same time and found I was getting cloudy water for a fair few days (bacterial bloom I assume)
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.