First full filter clean... when?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

Bassrutten

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 22, 2011
171
0
0
Australia, Perth
Perhaps there is another area better suited for this post... but to me this site is basically "monster bass keepers".

Had my tank up and running since mid October last year. Things have been going better than excellent, considering before diving into bass / stingrays I hadn't kept fish. I run 2 Eheim 2217's alongside an FX5 24/7.

I am guessing the time for a filter clean must be close? just chasing tips and tricks... was guessing I should start with a full clean of only 1 filter (with tank water)? just after advice.

Thanks, James.

edit - all filters new out of box since mid October 2011
 
When I had three FX5's running on a 220gal, I cleaned one every month....not the media, just the sponges. I washed the media in old water that was taken out while doing a water change. Well, that's how I rolled.
 
haynchinook334 said:
When I had three FX5's running on a 220gal, I cleaned one every month....not the media, just the sponges. I washed the media in old water that was taken out while doing a water change. Well, that's how I rolled.
Click to expand...

I hope that's extreme, as that would make me lazy / behind schedule :(, and my 2x WC's weekly seems tough enough with work.

1 FX5, 2 Eheim 2217's. 2x WC weekly, and no filter clean since mid October 2011.
 
Bassrutten said:
I hope that's extreme, as that would make me lazy / behind schedule :(, and my 2x WC's weekly seems tough enough with work.

1 FX5, 2 Eheim 2217's. 2x WC weekly, and no filter clean since mid October 2011.
Click to expand...
I had 5x 12-15" kelberi's, 2x 16" azuls, 1x black belt and 7x sliver dollars and a 8" royal placo. I was alright stocked. Water change was 75% a week. Feeding was every other day.

IMO, if you still got good flow and your water is good, I wouldn't worry about your filters being cleaned.
 
I would start cleaning those filters. Start w/ one and clean one a month. I bet your fish would be stoked! You can even partake in some celbration while cleaning :)
 
I'd start cleaning the filters one per month.. I have 2 FX5's along with my wet/dry and i clean my FX5's one every month.. I rinse the sponges, then use a plastic bin, fill it with tank water and dump my media in and swoosh it around in it to break all the crap up, then scoop out the media and put the filter back together..
 
Wow...That's a long time to go without cleaning them...?? I'm really surprised your water has stayed clear.. I'd have to guess you don't have a lot of large fish in the tank then and your bio load is minimal to pull that off.. Yeah, I have (6) FX5's and (3) DIY trickel filters and I'm cleaning them out weekly / monthly... If I didn't, my water (even with weekly water changes) gets gross and tinted... I can only wish I could go as long as you have..
 
I would clean them one at a time once amonth. With that many filters you could clean the sponges real good or even replce them. But i would only rinse the media really well with tank water. I know its been said but i honestly think this should be done.
 
If your doing four water changes per month, do you really think it is necessary, to do a complete filter change once month too?
 
Houdini89 said:
If your doing four water changes per month, do you really think it is necessary, to do a complete filter change once month too?
Click to expand...

Just to clean out the mech filtration.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom