First Cycle Filter Very Dirty

[gregcool]

hi guys just another question could my filter running slow cause a long cycle..
its very thick and dirty looking and looks like its realy dirty and bits all over it igave it a little tap around and it started speeding up first blowing out lots of bubbles then the outlet became faster could this be a problem for my cycle and if so what can i do to help...thanks greg

 

[mattlee]

if its an external it sounds like it has trapped air inside it. give it a slight shake to remove any more, it may be noisy for a while but will quiet down when the air has passed. also check your pipes etc for possible places where air can be getting in etc. the flow will be reduced slightly if its full of air but again should sort itself out with a shake/tap....
if your doing a fishless cycle then it shouldnt be too dirty as there is no waste food or poo being sucked into it!

 

[cybergibbons]

If it is internal - I had to clean mine during the cycle as it was choked with plant matter. I very carefully removed the sponge and just wiggled it around in a pot of tank water, with no squeezing. The worst stuff dropped off. It made a big difference to flow and knocked the test results for a day, but that was it.

 

[Honeythorn]

If the sponges are really gunged up, then remove enough TANK WATER into a bucket (never ever tap water ) to cover a sponge, then take each sponge out and give it quick whoosh around in the tankwater. Don't clean it too well or wring it out/scrub it. Just swish it about enough to get the worst of the big bits of muck off , squeeze it a couple of times in the water and then replace them (still wet ) back into the filter and start the whole thing up again.

 

[gregcool]

thanks guys for help.and sorry for lake of info , it is internel and in fishles cycle but with plants in the tank and has been for three weeks now on its first cycle and just trying to sort out whats slowing it down...i will give a quick rinse as above and do i just throw away that water i use to rinse the crap into

 

[roadmaster]

thanks guys for help.and sorry for lake of info , it is internel and in fishles cycle but with plants in the tank and has been for three weeks now on its first cycle and just trying to sort out whats slowing it down...i will give a quick rinse as above and do i just throw away that water i use to rinse the crap into

Yep.