How to properly clean filter?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Ninjakiller08

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 29, 2013
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Ontario, Canada
I have a canister filter. I removed carbon. Everything is about 2 years old. I clean it every month. Should I rinse the sponges monthly in the old aquarium water I just took out from the water change or should I rinse the sponges in tap water? There are also these "pellet" like things and small tube like things. Should i rinse these or just leave them? As I stated this is a 2 year old filter.
 
Always use tank water, this will ensure you keep the most beneficial bacteria alive ayer cleaning. If you use tap water on it, the chlorine would most likely kill most of the bacteria and you'd have a mini cycle.

The little pellet things are most likely ceramic bio media, which you'd also want to rinse off in the old tank water. If there is a filter pad, that would be replaced rather than rinsed off.
 
Always use tank water, this will ensure you keep the most beneficial bacteria alive ayer cleaning. If you use tap water on it, the chlorine would most likely kill most of the bacteria and you'd have a mini cycle.

The little pellet things are most likely ceramic bio media, which you'd also want to rinse off in the old tank water. If there is a filter pad, that would be replaced rather than rinsed off.
O thanks. So that would mean both of the sponges I change?
 
you can rinse the sponges in your old tank water and put it back...remember not to leave them out ... or it'll dry up and kill your good bb..

if you're referring to the filter floss...i would rinse them once and replace afterwards ... purchase a 10 ft roll from bigal's for cheap
 
you can rinse the sponges in your old tank water and put it back...remember not to leave them out ... or it'll dry up and kill your good bb..

if you're referring to the filter floss...i would rinse them once and replace afterwards ... purchase a 10 ft roll from bigal's for cheap
Ok thanks.
 
Personally I would clean the sponges with hot tap water and get them clean as possible. The is more then enough ceramic media in the 2213 to house the BB, and this should be rinsed with clean tank water.
 
The sponges in my FX5 I just spray out with the hose and rinse the bio media in tank water.
 
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