right...same as my water buffalo theory in college...it didn't matter how many brain cells I killed with I.C. Light...because I was killing the slow, sickly ones. The ones left were the elite of the brain cell community.
How NOT to clean your FX5/6 (or any cannister/ HOB filter)
- Thread starter nossalucard
- Start date
right...same as my water buffalo theory in college...it didn't matter how many brain cells I killed with I.C. Light...because I was killing the slow, sickly ones. The ones left were the elite of the brain cell community.
Every time I am on YouTube, it just blows my mind how many of the major fish channels (people with 1,000+ subscribers) spread a belief that dirty water = "cycled water" (i.e. claiming that detritus = beneficial bacteria). There's no excuse for that kind of ignorance these days, especially from people who clearly spend some significant time online, and many of whom have been in the hobby for years.
Exactly, which is WHY I made this post.
There are so many people that are just ignorant, and have been taught the "BASICS " incorrectly. Then they go online and teach the "masses", cuasing an even bigger population/generation of ignorant/unknowing fishkeepers. They inturn end up jumping in HEAD FIRST/FULL BORE (with expensive equipment even), and still having problems, then blame it on equipment, etc instead of their LACK of understanding.
And think about it..., these kids are coming up like this thinking everything they see on "youtube" is the GOSPEL!!! We're all going to be SCREWED in a few more years if more COMMON SENSE does'nt prevail...sadly
Lol just watched the vid 
brilliant , what a complete waste of time and effort
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brilliant , what a complete waste of time and effort Sent from my Nexus 7 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Agreed about the guy on the video.... definitely not the best way of cleaning out an FX5, not even close ----- BUT personally, I have always used tank water to clean out my fx5...... as my tank is draining, I wash it with the same water coming out of the tank..... I do WCs often so the water coming out of the tank is clear and not muddy. The "killing" of the good bacteria on the sponge is not an option for the few who over stock...... all good bacteria is needed..... especially for bare bottom tanks and those who clean the window panes often like I do.
I am not saying using tap water is bad...... just saying it's not the best way for those with overstocked tanks...... just throwing that out.....
I am not saying using tap water is bad...... just saying it's not the best way for those with overstocked tanks...... just throwing that out.....
Doesn't the sponge (mechanical) filtration have a lot a bb inside of it? Even though I'm have plenty of bio filtration shouldn't I avoid washing the mechanical with chlorinated water? I mean sponge filters hold bb so why would a sponge in a canister?
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You are absolutely correct..... the sponges do hold BB..... I guess what others are saying is, it shouldn't make a big difference if the bio side of the filter is colonized with enough BB. I am with you on this one though as I tend to overstock my tanks.
The sponge does contain some bacteria but it's main purpose is to trap wastes.When the sponge is rinsed the amount of bacteria that is lost is small compared to the waste matter that is removed.There is bacteria all over the inside of the tank so no need to worry too much about what's living I the sponges.
I avoid rinsing any of my media or decor with tap water (though occasionally I do treat a bucket of tap water with Prime, and then use that), mostly out of habit. But theoretically, I'd agree with krichardson; I think if you're using an adequate amount of biological media, especially media with a very large surface area (e.g. matrix, biomax, etc.), it probably wouldn't be disastrous to kill off the relatively small amount of bacteria in the mechanical media.
Im pretty sure that ceramic media is the only thing you should be wary of. The foam can be rinsed as it will very quickly accumulate more bacteria and debris to reestablish it. The reason not to do it on hob filters is that there is not a ceramic colony of bacteria. The surface area of ceramic is so many times more than the foam stuff. When you compare the tiny bit of area in the mechanical media then you have to protect it. It would be beneficial to add an element of ceramic to hobs if you can.
Otherwise clean with aquarium water, or treated water. But do not use the awful filter sludge. :banghead:
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Otherwise clean with aquarium water, or treated water. But do not use the awful filter sludge. :banghead:
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