Easy and simple question

[snar]

I was just wondering how often should I clean the filter of my 10 gallon tank and how often should I use the gravel vacuum

 

[nshockeyplaya]

I would reccomend cleaning your filter around once a month for a ten gallon, but your best bet is checking the instruction and see how often they tell you to clean it. I would clean your gravel once a month as well with your gravel vacum.

 

[yvez9]

I suggest you clean your gravel when doign a wtare change, so it should be once a week, or maybe twice a week

as for cleaning filters, i just clean mine when i notice the water flow has gone done. Usually something is clogged.

The only thing you should replace is your carbon. Replace it according to the manufacturer

 

[snar]

Thanks

 

[BobK]

Or don't replace the carbon at all unless you need to remove medications or such. If your filter has a cartridge containing carbon you can cut it out and reuse the cartridge for a long time. A lot of people don't use carbon at all. I'm going to start cutting it out and reuse the cartridges to save some money.

 

[paulthegreat]

I use an Ehiem filter with no carbon I clean the filter twice every three months or when it looks clogged. I use a tooth brush to clean off the sponge then squeeze it out a time or two. Do not over clean or you can lose a lot of benificial bacteria! I use the gravel filter once a week on the main tank and when it starts looking cruddy in the grow out tank(a bit more often since I over feed the fry to insure they get enough to grow fast).hth