I have to go along with dmo on this one... I've used Marineland bio-wheel filters for 20 years now. It's true that BB build up on all aquarium and filter serfaces but the filter is designed to operate on the bio wheels alone and have the filter pads replaced when needed...(I switched to perminate supercartrages a while back and no longer do this but that's the way it was designed.) Washing or changing the filter pads will NOT cause your tank to recycle or even mini-cycle.
How are my water parameters?
- Thread starter arkmann
- Start date
You guys are overlooking something though. The tank hasnt been up that long. So once this tank cycled. It barely had enough beneficial bacteria built up to cycle the tank. Its very easy to cycle a tank and add some fish and go back into a cycle. His tank was young. So by him washing the filter cartridges out with tap water, he depleted some beneficial bacteria and went back into a cycle. Someone said they had been cleaning them with tap water for three years. In three years good bacteria has had time to thrive all over the place, filters, gravel, etc. I wouldnt advise anyone to clean them in tap water, especially on a new tank, but its whatever you guys think. I will continue cleaning mine in tank water... 
I guess my filter was already cycled and then it has gone to recycling due to washing the cartridges in tap water. Take note, I have washed the cartridges with tap water on two occasions.
I know for a fact that my filter was cycled once after 6 weeks that it was first set up and then it probably went into recycling after the cartridges has been washed because the number of beneficial bacteria is probably not yet that stable.
I definitely agree with WJC05 on my current issue.
I know for a fact that my filter was cycled once after 6 weeks that it was first set up and then it probably went into recycling after the cartridges has been washed because the number of beneficial bacteria is probably not yet that stable.
I definitely agree with WJC05 on my current issue.
