Filter Foam

[pnyklr3]

The filter on my 55 gallon has three parts to it:filter foam, activated carbon, then a "bio bag" (not sure what it's called). I'm assuming that since my bio bag contains my biological bacteria, it would be OK for me to rinse out the filter foam with tap water? Or is the filter foam filled with the goodies too, and killing them would cause me to mini cycle? I'm not at a point for a water change right now, so since I can't rinse it with tank water, could I use dechlorinated tap water instead?

 

[lizard]

I wouldn't rinse it in tapwater There will be happy little waste-processing bacteria living in your filter sponge Take a bit of tankwater out (just scoop it out) and rinse the sponge in that. Discard that water, then add an equivalent amount of dechlorinated tap water to your tank. Changing some water, even if it's not your scheduled water change time, isn't going to hurt your tank or fish at all. You could probably use dechlorinated tap water to rinse the sponge as well

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[pnyklr3]

Well, the only thing about replacing the water is that i'm slowly acclimating my tank to RO water, and I don't have an RO system. I buy it at a store that is about a 20 minutes trip to get there, and my schedule has been hectic. I suppose that adding a little bit of dechlorinated tap water will be ok. Hmmmmm I suppose I should just go and get more RO water anyhow.

 

[black convict 0331]

it s bot that bad to change the water of schedual unless ur tank has all new water in it so if thats the case then dont use tank water but if its like 2 or more months more than just use the tank water and u dont need all that fancy water crap iv been raiseing fish for about 5 years and the only time i use any kind of stress releif is when i use medison move fish in or out or start a new tank

 

[pnyklr3]

Water is the fancy water stuuf? the dechlorinator or the RO water? I get the RO water because I'm breeding apistos and my tap water is extremely hard and has a pH of close to 9! I just did my water change not too long ago, but I'll figure something out. My foam needs a good rinsing!

 

[konrad05]

Just rinse the sponges under your tap water regularily. I do it to both my canisters. As long as you don't rinse your "biobag". That's the beauty of canisters, you can do that and not have a re-cycle as you would have with some HOB filters.

 

[pnyklr3]

Thank You!