suemack Posted October 1, 2003 Report Share Posted October 1, 2003 how often should you completely clean out filters - in my 2 x 10 gall tanks I replaced the box filters with Aquaclear minis - I rinse out the sponge in the water I've siphoned out once a week and wash out the gloop from the uplift when it looks gluggy - the instruction box says to strip it down and clean the impellor on a regular basis? How often? The other thing is - do you need to have carbon in the filters - at present haven't got any in and the tanks seem to be fine - the info that came with the filters seems to recommend that you do! My filters always get a bit yuk as most of the tanks have fry in and are fed frequently and with fine foods :oops: ok - I overfeed :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 1, 2003 Report Share Posted October 1, 2003 Depends on the type of filter. I clean out mine (external canisters) when the water flow slows down. I never bother using charcoal myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted October 1, 2003 Report Share Posted October 1, 2003 My cannisters I usually clean out every 2 months on average. Usually I clean them whenever I notice one has slowed down a bit, so I only do one of my 4 every 2-3 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suemack Posted October 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2003 Ira - when you say cleaning out is that completely stripping down everything - so far when the flow has slowed have only cleaned out sponge and the uplift and that has improved the situation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted October 2, 2003 Report Share Posted October 2, 2003 Basically, disconnect the cannister, carry it to the sink, pop the top off, yank out the sponges and squeeze them under the tap(Warmish water) until the water coming out is only slightly brown then rinse the media while shaking until the water coming out is only slightly brown, reassemble, lug the MUCH lighter cannister back to the tank, reattach it and then I'm done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted October 2, 2003 Report Share Posted October 2, 2003 Carbon... You don't need it, but it is 'good'. Once the tank as cycled and looking good, running carbon really polishes the water, gives it a clean sparkle. It runs out pretty quickly, but everyone has different opinions on how long it is YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted October 2, 2003 Report Share Posted October 2, 2003 Used to be weekly when I did a water change. However I am now doing water changes much more frequently (2 - 3 times a week) as I have discus growing in the tank. So the filter is being cleaned once every 2 - 4 weeks - stripped down and rinsing all media and sponges. Occassionally I will put carbon in them. At the moment no carbon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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