dirty filter

[jemmyw]

The white filter sponge thing at the top seems to be getting very dirty very quickly, and when it does it clogs everything up until i turn it around so the clean end is where the water comes in, or replace it if it is completely clogged. Is it normal for it to get so dirty? i turned it around today, and last changed it about a week ago.

 

[rdd1952]

It really shouldn't get that dirty that quick. Is it a new tank? How big is the tank and what do you have in it (fish type/quantity). Also, is it planted and do you have an algae problem?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If you need to clean your filter, you should only remove the gunky bits on it by washing it in water from water changes and not tap water, the filter needs to be dirty to a certain extent for the good bacteria that lives in it to survive.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

Pheonix is right. To get a filter clean put some of your aquarium water in a bucket, or water from water changes. Hold the filter sponge unger the water and pull off any large peices of debris. Then GENTLY squeeze the sponge to eliminate some of the smaller detritus. You must squeeze gently so that you do not expell the benneficial bacteria.

 

[jemmyw]

i have 2 plants, it's a 13 gallon tank with 3 tetras, 6 lampeyes, 3 platys and 3 loach. no algea problem, no.

 

[gadazobe]

Your filter is getting dirty quickly because you have a lot of fish in a small tank. You don't have to change the white floss every week, just wash it out as explained.

 

[jemmyw]

not too many though? the lampeyes are really small, 1cm each, and i've had no problems with the chemical levels

 

[gadazobe]

Not too many, but not enough room to add any more

 

[jemmyw]

thinking of getting another tank of similar size to move the loaches into because i really want to get guppies. i'd love a siamese fighter too, but i heard you can't keep them with guppies

 

[jemmyw]

btw thats 13 UK gallons, i notice most people use US ones here.

 

[IMCL85]

what r the difference from 13uk gallon to us gallon like which is bigger? I use us gallon here in canada. Also sponge should be clean like weekly with ur tank water the one that change out. Just sqeeze it a little for those dirt to get out. Then put it back. U need those bacteria in there.

 

[jemmyw]

i'll clean it this weekend when i do the water change. UK gallons are slightly larger than US ones, i looked it up just now as 13ukgallons =~ 16usgallons

 

[gadazobe]

Guppies and bettas (male) don't go together because of the colourful fins of the guppies. Bettas tend to think that they're competition and often kill the guppies.

 

[rdd1952]

i have 2 plants, it's a 13 gallon tank with 3 tetras, 6 lampeyes, 3 platys and 3 loach. no algea problem, no.

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What type loaches do you have? Quite a few loaches get way too big for a 13 gallon tank.

 

[afireinside]

that used to happen with me. just clean out the filter as much as you can, and if that still dosen't work, get a new filter, same one, same brand. sorry, that's all the advise i can give.