So much for a clean tank...help?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

mdt62

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 10, 2011
59
0
6
Ashtabula
So I cleaned my fluval 405 for the first time tonight. Second technically but the first it had only been running for two weeks. Its been a month since then. Pulled out my bio-media set it aside. Rinsed everything and dumped it all out. everything was nice and clean. Put it back together and finished my water change. When I let the valve open it blew a TON of crap into the tank!! My tank that I just cleaned. What did I do wrong? Was this from in the hoses? Do I have to clean those monthly as well? I know I may get flamed for this but Im new to the hobby so be gentle. This is one of those moments where I've had enough...Also should I be worried about an ammonia spike?
 
Probably just crud in the hose the same thing happens to me. Even if you clean the filter spotless (which you probably shouldn't because we are trying to clean out crap not kill the beneficial bacteria ) it would still shoot out crap when you turn it back on.
 
I wouldn t worry about an ammonia spike. Most likely from the hoses and it was already in the system, so its not like you dumped it in from elsewhere. Most of my canisters do this a bit after maintenance. Unsightly, but it should clear up.
 
Just clean the hose out as well next time. As for ammonia spikes, how did you clean the bio media for the canister? If you let the bio media dry out or if you cleaned it with non tank water you will go through another cycle since your bacteria is most likely dead.
 
Hot Slime said:
Just clean the hose out as well next time. As for ammonia spikes, how did you clean the bio media for the canister? If you let the bio media dry out or if you cleaned it with non tank water you will go through another cycle since your bacteria is most likely dead.
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I should have read closer. This is a good point. If your filter has only been running for 2 weeks, it is most likely not completely cycled and any disruption could cause a spike. Id monitor the water closely for a while and DONT clean out your filter for awhile. Id give that filter at least month to 6 weeks to establish enough bb ti support your tank.
 
Filter has been running for a month and a half. I didn't rinse the Bio or let it dry out so no worries there. Glad I'm not the only one that's had this issues. Already looks better but still quite frustrating.
 
everytime I do a water change when I plug my FX5 back in a ton of crap flys out just stuff built up in the hoses. I'm gonna try that sock over the output trick next time, thanks.
 
on my 304 i switched the lines out to clear vinyl 5/8"tubing and never get the crud coming out on startup anymore. also flow seemed to be better.
 
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