Filter Cleaning?

[jayclarke]

Hi, just wondering how often I should clean my filters?

Ive got 2x FX5s on a 150g tank (stock in my signature).
I usually do them every 3wks but every now and then they crash its really annoying!

I clean them with tank water Ive syphoned and do a 50% weekly water change.

Thanks

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Clean one of them. 2 weeks later clean the other one. Another 2 weeks later, clean back the first one. Continue this cycle for the rest of your life or until the filter died or you quit the hobby. That way you won't nuke that much benifical bacteria, clean only one filter each time which is much easier.

That means you have an interval of 1 month between cleaning of each filter.

 

[jayclarke]

I used to do that . . . . I'll start again!

 

[Jc1119]

Clean one of them. 2 weeks later clean the other one. Another 2 weeks later, clean back the first one. Continue this cycle for the rest of your life or until the filter died or you quit the hobby. That way you won't nuke that much benifical bacteria, clean only one filter each time which is much easier.

That means you have an interval of 1 month between cleaning of each filter.

I do this same thing but 3 weeks between them... Works well with multiple filters..

 

[jayclarke]

I do this same thing but 3 weeks between them... Works well with multiple filters..

Im upgading soon to a 250 so ill keep that in mind as im going to be using a 405 as well

 

[Juxtaroberto]

From what I've heard, you're supposed to leave canister filters alone. You clean them out like every 6 months or so.

 

[ar0wan]

... Continue this cycle for the rest of your life or until the filter died or you quit the hobby...

man even I think that sounds crazy
buy anywho depending on what you are using your canister for

Dedicated Mech: Clean thoroughly every time you WC
Dedicated Bio: Only when flow is severely constricted
Dedicated Chem: Follow manufacturers instruction

If you are using one filter for all of these then
hold off maintenance till flow slows considerably
and try not to disturb the BIO trays or expose them to tap water

3-6 months should be adequate

 

[jayclarke]

man even I think that sounds crazy
buy anywho depending on what you are using your canister for

Dedicated Mech: Clean thoroughly every time you WC
Dedicated Bio: Only when flow is severely constricted
Dedicated Chem: Follow manufacturers instruction

If you are using one filter for all of these then
hold off maintenance till flow slows considerably
and try not to disturb the BIO trays or expose them to tap water

3-6 months should be adequate

Im using BIO in all the trays, I only give them a quick sive in tank water when there looking really dirty. I give the sponges a good rinse in a couple buckets of tank water.
I get worried if i leave them too long they will crash!

 

[ramcharger1979]

I do not clean my filters until they stop flowing. I have a fluval 403 on my 125 that has been running for like a year with out cleaning.

 

[Jc1119]

From what I've heard, you're supposed to leave canister filters alone. You clean them out like every 6 months or so.

I only clean the mech stage which includes fine floss as a prefilter for my bio. Bio gets turned but never really cleaned.

So yeah, if you're not using fine mech. you could go months without cleaning. Just depends on how you use the filter. From what I've gathered the fx5 works much better without the polishing pad....