How often do you clean your canister's tubes?

[BassetsForBrown]

I do the filter itself about once a month, but I don't think I've ever detached the tubes and cleaned them out in the 1.5 years I've been running it. Do they need cleaning, and if so how often do you do it?

Thanks

 

[HumanBean]

If flow is OK then I won't do it. But in case it's blocked yes

 

[Rocksor]

I leave the tubes alone, and rely on probiotic bacteria to clean them for me. Powder form of Rid-X is relatively cheap, and much easier to use than cleaning the tubes out. Plus it has added benefits.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/the-use-of-probiotics-in-aquaculture.536531/

 

[xraycer]

I try to clean out my filters once a month, but many times I don't get to it for about 2 months. Even after a couple of months, my filters don't really look that bad. I think a major reason for this is that I do a 50% wc every 3-4 days. Now in regards to the hose and intake/return tubes, I rarely clean these. Maybe once every few years. As long as the flow isn't impeded, I don't feel I need to do the extra work. Plus, I don't feel the little bit of protein build-up affects water quality much, if at all

 

[BassetsForBrown]

I leave the tubes alone, and rely on probiotic bacteria to clean them for me. Powder form of Rid-X is relatively cheap, and much easier to use than cleaning the tubes out. Plus it has added benefits.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/the-use-of-probiotics-in-aquaculture.536531/

Rid-X? You can put that into your tank safely? I thought it was for septic tanks and such.

 

[Rocksor]

Quite a few folks have used it or similar products on quite expensive fish with no issues. Read the first few pages and the last couple of pages.

 

[Blue Bear]

Never or rarely clean them, tbh. I only have cleaned them if it's blocking the flow.