Filtration help

Monsterkeeper0223

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 6, 2020
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I have 2 fx6’s running on a 90 gallon tank with one Black wolfish in it and yes I know that’s over kill I don’t know close to everything but I’ve had fish for 6 years now and know as much as I’ve been able to learn but I can’t figure out how to properly be chamgimg the filter media and pads without destroying the tanks biological system the monthly cleanings and one pad changes aren’t a problem but the every 6 month big change messes the whole thing up, I tried to stagger the changing making the media changes every 6 months and 3 months into that the pads are changes and so on so that each thing is still being changes every 6 months but still 3 months apart to try to preserve some of the healthy bacteria any help or ideas?
 

kno4te

MFK Moderator
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Dec 24, 2005
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I’d clean the filter at least once a month. I’d rinse the pads in a bucket with tank water or dechlorinated water. Wouldn’t rinse the media unless they are completely clogged and not porous. Again use tank water or water that’s treated with a dechlorinator. Otherwise I’d not touch the media.
 

Oscar Mike

Piranha
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Oct 9, 2010
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Personally I try to clean one filter a week so they all get cleaned once a month and too much beneficial bacteria doesn't die off. In your case I would clean 1 fx6 at a time and rotate every 2-4 weeks. I clean my foam pads in the bathtub and rinse each media tray with my python using dechlorinated water while the tank is draining.
 
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