How often do you clean out your sponge filter? and do you ever change the sponge or just keep cleaning it?
How often do you clean/change your sponge filter?
- Thread starter dangerhack
- Start date
i squeeze mine out with every water change till it looks cleaner....and replace when it falls apart (yet to happen)
that seems pretty reasonable.. how long have you had that same sponge filter in your tank? ... i plan on getting 3 hydro V's for my 200 gallon.. on top of the 2 fx5's
Since I don't use my sponges for mechanical filtration (they are just for added bio) I don't clean them out very often. Maybe once every couple months, depending on stock. They just need them to be clean enough to still have water flowing through them if you're just using them as back up and additional bio IMO.
If you're using only sponge filters to run a tank, you want to clean them more often.
If you're using only sponge filters to run a tank, you want to clean them more often.
I have 2 aqua clear 110's on my 85. I altenate rinsing the sponges out weekly with cold tap water. I will replace the sponges as they fall apart. I know everyone one says you should use old tank water for rinseing but my 85 has been set up for 14 years so it is pretty established.
yea the 2 fx5's will be main filter source... sponge filter is just for back up an added filteration.. i guess every other month depending on how dirty ill rinse.. an if they start to look like they gonna fall apart ill replace the sponge.. thanks
Why chance killing off bacteria and depleting what bio you already have built up?
I dont think Sponge filters should be cleaned at all. It would kill the bacteria that is built up in there. Maybe squeeze it in the aquarium water but not actually cleaning it.
i guess i should mention when i clean mine out its in a bucket of old tank water, with each water change.
and iv had the one for about 8 months now, had one in my fry tank for over a year ..its still together sitting in storage.
and iv had the one for about 8 months now, had one in my fry tank for over a year ..its still together sitting in storage.