how often do you clean out your external filters/ i have an fluvel fx5 running for 5 weeks water is still clear and the water flow is still powerfull i do 50% water changes once a week just wondeing when to clean filter
filter cleaning
- Thread starter peanut
- Start date
Howdy,
I moved your thread to the setup and filtration forum, since that's where it belongs.
If properly equipped with the right media, canister filters can run until the flow rate decreases dramatically. For big filters, that can be up to a year or even longer. My Eheim has not gotten touched since last September.
When the flow rate decreases, try to simply wash out the prefilter or exchange the pads. Biomedia are good for a long time, until they clog up. As a matter of fact, the longer they stand, the more efficient they are. Once you have to wash out the biomedia, don't clesan it too well. Or set a cup uncleaned media aside aside to prime your filter again.
Depending on your tank size, fish and bioload, your filter might be just breaking in after 5 wks ...
HarleyK
I moved your thread to the setup and filtration forum, since that's where it belongs.
If properly equipped with the right media, canister filters can run until the flow rate decreases dramatically. For big filters, that can be up to a year or even longer. My Eheim has not gotten touched since last September.
When the flow rate decreases, try to simply wash out the prefilter or exchange the pads. Biomedia are good for a long time, until they clog up. As a matter of fact, the longer they stand, the more efficient they are. Once you have to wash out the biomedia, don't clesan it too well. Or set a cup uncleaned media aside aside to prime your filter again.
Depending on your tank size, fish and bioload, your filter might be just breaking in after 5 wks ...
HarleyK
I clean my filter once a week. Then I started thinking about it..."What the hell am I doing?!" So I think I'm going to clean it once a month or once every 3 months.
I run wet/dry sumps, I rinse the prefilter pads once a week when I do a water change, and thats it
Well actually after I have rinsed them 2 or 3 times I generally replace them coz they start looking a bit ratty
So rinse weekly, replace every month or so.
Well actually after I have rinsed them 2 or 3 times I generally replace them coz they start looking a bit ratty
So rinse weekly, replace every month or so.i clean the mechanical part every other day
big monsta= big waste
i do total maintanence on my wet-dry once a week
but i never touch the bioballs
big monsta= big waste
i do total maintanence on my wet-dry once a week
but i never touch the bioballs
around 4 or 5 months for canistors i have at 6x over filtration on my tanks its a pain cleaning them little things monthly.