Filters

[gingerjackie]

How long is it safe to turn off my filter to clean it? I am worried about killing any bacteria. Also is it best to do two small water changes a week ( about 10% ) or once a week of about 25%? New to the site but think its great.
Ginger Jackie

 

[big_fresh]

Could you us know what type of filter you have? Internal? Hang on back? Cannister? Also, what type of cleaning are you trying to do to your filter?


In most cases, the bacteria live in the media in your filter and if you keep the media wet/damp, regular water cleaning should only take 30 mins max and there will not be any significant loss(if any) of bacteria.

you shouldn't have any problems as long as you dont rinse your media in tapwater!

 

[Cheese Specialist]

You have to turn off your filter to clean it. I think it's dangerous not to!!

I personally do one 20% weekly change. I wouldn't do more than that at one time without there being a problem meaning I had to. But that's just me! Some people do more, I just don't like to change the fish's environment too much at one time.

Don't clean the filter sponge too much or too often. Just put it in some tank water to get rid of the more gungy bits.

 

[gingerjackie]

My filter is a Fluval Bio-life in a 72 litre tank. The insructions say I should change the Carbon filter every 2 weeks and the Pre-filter foam every 2 months. I need to know is this too much as I dont want to harm friendly bacteria.
Ginger Jackie

 

[Cheese Specialist]

My filter is a Fluval Bio-life in a 72 litre tank. The insructions say I should change the Carbon filter every 2 weeks and the Pre-filter foam every 2 months. I need to know is this too much as I dont want to harm friendly bacteria.
Ginger Jackie

I have the same kind of filter and I have never changed the media. I wouldn't do it unless it was seriously falling apart. Even then, it's best to have the new media in beside the old for a time before removing the old. Otherwise you are effectively removing all the bacteria in one fail swoop!

Whatever the manufacturers say, you must remember that they want you to buy their products

 

[gingerjackie]

When you say you have never changed media how long have you had your tank and do you mean carbon filters as well?
Ginger Jackie

 

[Cheese Specialist]

When you say you have never changed media how long have you had your tank and do you mean carbon filters as well?
Ginger Jackie

I have had the tank since September and I took the carbon out altogether. All yu need to do is to rinse it off with tank water to get rid of most of the gunk.

 

[Beavo68]

So - you're saying you can run a system with filter media, but no charcoal? I have a biowheel and a place for media. Can I run my system with no charcoal and just load the media area with the "Blue stuff"?

Do any of the experienced folks use charcoal?