Cleaning Filter.

[cargo]

What is the proper way to clean my filter without loosing the bacteria? Do i just clean all the stuff in a bucket of aquarium water? Or will my gravel hold enough bacteria that the filter dosent matter? I have a fluva 304 and have these in it http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...sText=fluva&N=2
I also have some carbon. The person at my fish store told me I would not need to change the ceramic rings that hold the bacteria. I want to know if they are ok to wash with just plain water.

 

[nukeonekitty]

nice avatar...

 

[Tolak]

You can either clean the media in tank water, or dechlorinated tap water, whichever is easier. Your substrate holds a small amount of nitrifying bacteria, most is in your filter media. Rinsing the media in tap water that hasn't been treated with dechlorinator will kill the bacteria.