Filter Cleaning!

[HooleyHoop]

Hi,

Another question from me, this time regarding my filter. I have an Aqua One external cannister filter and am due to clean it for the first time.


Tonight I isolated the pipes, unplugged it and rinsed the scum of the sponges as I saw to do on here. Now my question is, the inflow and outflow pipes also have a lot of scum inside them so do I wash these through as well or leave them?

Sorry if it seems a simply question but this is still all new to me.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Stacey13]

I am not familiar with the Aqua One filter, but I would think that if it's you're first time cleaning it, you shouldn't need to clean the hoses YET. Is the filters' output reduced? Does it look like it would be easy to clean the hoses? On my xp3, I just went to the hardware store and bought replacement hoses, MUCH easier than trying to clean them!


oops! just re-read your post...... you're inquiring about the plastic pieces that attach to the hoses aren't you??? If so, go ahead and rinse them if they look dirty.

PS How's your pleco's fin looking today?

 

[HooleyHoop]

I mean the actual hoses. I cleaned the plastic pieces today (rinsed through with tank water I had just removed, but the actual hoses themselves are full of scum. They are fully detachable etc so was just wondering if I should rinse them through....should be easy enough to do.

Plecos fin just the same but I put the fist dose of melafix in this evening so hopefully I'll start to see an improvement soon

 

[rabbut]

Hi,

Another question from me, this time regarding my filter. I have an Aqua One external cannister filter and am due to clean it for the first time.


Tonight I isolated the pipes, unplugged it and rinsed the scum of the sponges as I saw to do on here. Now my question is, the inflow and outflow pipes also have a lot of scum inside them so do I wash these through as well or leave them?

Sorry if it seems a simply question but this is still all new to me.

Thanks
Chris

As Stacey said, you shoulden't need to clean the hoses yet. When the hoses do eventualy need cleaning, depending upon length, it would be easier to replace than to clean. You can get long length piping cleaners from some pet stores, but they often are expencive for what they are.
Just to check, you do know not to use tap water on filter media don't you? I ask as it is a common mistake made by people new to the hobby. You made a great choise with an exturnal IMO. They clean the water better than internals, or HOB's and need far less maintanace.
HTH
rabbut

EDIT: tap water is safe for everything appart from media. Clean media in tank water, and everything else in tap. Remember to drain as much tap water as you can before letting the media near the cleaned parts. Flushing the hoses with tap water probibly would not do anything, but its worth a try

 

[Stacey13]

Well if it seems easy then go for it. Myself, I wouldn't bother until the water flow is reduced.

 

[HooleyHoop]

Thanks for the replies! I'll leave them for now, not noticed a reduction in the water flow so its probably me just being fussy

Yeah I read about not washing the media in tap water....something I did right for a change

Cheers
Chris

 

[rabbut]

Thanks for the replies! I'll leave them for now, not noticed a reduction in the water flow so its probably me just being fussy

Yeah I read about not washing the media in tap water....something I did right for a change

Cheers
Chris

Thats good to know. Good luck with the new filter
Rabbut

 

[Rooster]

If you do want to clean flexible pipes on an external... drop a length of string down the pipe (err, removed from tank and filter !) using a small weight or lump of plastecene, then tie a piece of cloth on the end - and pull through !

 

[ibbledibble]

simply holding the end of the pipe against a tap and turning on the water full force can remove quite a bit of gunk. but make sure the other end is secure in a bucket or down the drain so you don't drench the place in water and fish poo! and make sure you have a good grip around the pipe and tap cuz ditto!

 

[discus dreamer]

I would say leave the pipes well alone, they look better uniformly dirty than cleaned in some places.
I have the same filter and am not sure how often to clean it as there never seems to be much in the way of gunk even when I have left it for 3 months, but the fish are doing fine, nitrate levels ok etc. it is a heavily planted tank so perhaps that helps. My other tank has an internal filter and I wash out one of the two sponges with each water change, loads of gunk there! Don't really know why there should be such a difference, could be those ceramic bits or the black ball things are magic!
DD

 

[Stacey13]

Thanks for the replies! I'll leave them for now, not noticed a reduction in the water flow so its probably me just being fussy

Yeah I read about not washing the media in tap water....something I did right for a change

Cheers
Chris

You WILL know when to replace the hoses........ I replaced the hoses on my xp3 after about 9 months, WAY too long! The filter barely pushed any water, and it was hard to prime. I just used a craft knife and cut the old tubes off, they were almost completly full of goo. (think dirty cheese whiz!)

AND there are only 2 fish in that tank!


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but those fish are an oscar and a pleco!