Ok, so I have a Fluval FX5 and on an average monthly basis, I have to tear the unit down, rinse all the filter pads, and rinse out debris from the bottom of the unit. On average, this takes about 3 hours. A royal pain 
Now my tank, a 90gal tall, has a lot of large fish in it (I would not consider it "overstocked"), but I get a lot of elevated phosphate levels, which leads to a lot of algae growth, a green water tinge, and a lot of detritus floating. My chemical levels are pretty much always good, and I use Prime regularly.
Here's my question - if I don't thoroughly rinse out the filters each month, they get clogged, but I'm reading that I *shouldn't* be rinsing/cleaning the filter because I'm killing the bacteria. Now how can you have both clean, effective filters, AND healthy bacteria?
I've considered looking at a Fluval G6 simply because of the "apparent" ease of cleaning - even if I have to pop out the mechanical filter and rinse it each day, that's better than the 3hr block each month.
Thanks!
(Also, what fish are good for eating the algae that grows on the artificial plants?)
Now my tank, a 90gal tall, has a lot of large fish in it (I would not consider it "overstocked"), but I get a lot of elevated phosphate levels, which leads to a lot of algae growth, a green water tinge, and a lot of detritus floating. My chemical levels are pretty much always good, and I use Prime regularly.Here's my question - if I don't thoroughly rinse out the filters each month, they get clogged, but I'm reading that I *shouldn't* be rinsing/cleaning the filter because I'm killing the bacteria. Now how can you have both clean, effective filters, AND healthy bacteria?
I've considered looking at a Fluval G6 simply because of the "apparent" ease of cleaning - even if I have to pop out the mechanical filter and rinse it each day, that's better than the 3hr block each month.
Thanks!
(Also, what fish are good for eating the algae that grows on the artificial plants?)
