How Often Do You Clean Filters?

[kakihara]

Hi,

I have a 60 litre hex tank which came with its own filter, the trouble is my water looks like its getting a bit "dusty" looking (there kinda little bits of stuff floating around) (it's been running for 3 weeks by the way.

I have heard about people rinsing out filters but which one? the sponge part, or the part that looks lik eit has a lot of foam cylinders in it?

Cheers
Keith

 

[Mr Miagi]

hmm, im not quite sure what you mean. It may be easier for us to help you if you give us detail on the specifics of your filter. IE, undergravel, Cannister etc etc? Brand names and the like.

In general, i clean mine once a fortnight. But sometimes if it doesnt ned doing, i wont touch it. You should easily be able to tell when it needs cleaning. The water flow will have reduced sufficiently, and the foam wil be clogged.

One important fact, if you dont know already, , is always clean your filter material, foam, in the tank water you just removed during the water change. DONT wash it with tap water. This will lead to the death of your useful bacteria.

Hope i helped.

 

[black angel]

If your water is looking cloudy then it means your filter is cycling and its a bacterial bloom you are seeing. Dont touch your filter until the cycle is over.
Have you any test kits to monitor the ammonia and nitrites?
As you have a few fish already, dont get any more until you are sure the tank has cycled.