Fluval Filter Maintanence

[rdd1952]

I am running 2 Fluval 304 filters on my 75 gallon tank. It has been running for about a 5 weeks now, including cycling (about 2 weeks). How often should I clean the filter and media and how often should the media be replaced? I would think that replacing the media or even rinsing the filter could seriously impact the bacteria colony and don't want to do anything to affect my water parameters. I know what their manual says but I don't usually trust the manufacturers instructions as they love to sell you as many replacement filters or media as they can.

 

[Angry_Platy]

If you rinse/wash the filter media in tank water you won't affect your cycle or your tank.

I replace 2 foam pads once every 2-3 months on my Fluval and rinse the other 2 in tank water (I have the 204 which has 4 foam pads)

HTH

 

[rdd1952]

The 304s have the chambers and I am using the ceramic rings plus some carbon. I guess, i would just need to pour them out into a bucket of tank water and gently rinse them before putting back. I just don't want to lose half my bacteria by cleaning too much.

 

[vantgE]

I would rinse and squezze out most of the media especially anything working mechanical once a month I left my filter for four months and it was absolutely disgusting I doubt there was any good bacteria left in it, everything just suffocated by goldfish poo, I take mine apart once a month and rinse in dechlorinated watter everything at once cause I'm lazy, if you have cleantype fish I would rinse half the media in dechlorinated watter once every 1-2 months, once monthly with a heavier dirtier bioload, replaceing bio-max once a year, and cleaning tubeing if you notice any decrease in flow rate, also spray or rinse out the impeller good if you can everytime its apart to ensure longevity.

 

[rdd1952]

My bioload will be relatively light compared to goldfish. When fully stocked, I will have 4 angels, 4 german rams, 10 tetras, 6 corys and 4 SAE. Not a terrbily heavy load I don't think. I do weekly water changes of about 25%. Since I have driftwood and am getting some leeching, I am doing daily WC right now of about 25% to try to keep the water as clear as ossible.