How to wash filter?

[Kinhan]

I read in your rules that you shouldnt wash your filter in tap water...how are you suppose to wash it then?

Do i take some water out of the tank and wash it in there??

Thanks

 

[dunc_man_fishy]

yes that is correct. but may i ask why you are washing the filter as its best really to leave them unless they need cleaning as it could wash away the beneficial bacteria if cleaned too much. Passing tank water after a water change is suffient usually.

 

[Cian McLiam]

Hi,
The best practice is to wash the filter media lightly in water you have removed during a water change.
What I do is remove 15% water every 3 days while vacuming the gravel, once every two weeks I take the filter media out of the filter and very gently squeeze it in the bucket of old aquarium water and swish it around a bit. My filter also has a white cottony pre-filter material which prevents small and large particles from clogging the media below. I replace this with every water change.

Hope this helps,

Ken

 

[rsz]

if possible, wash half the filter one week and half the next. that means you still have some good bacteria in the filter.

may i ask why you are washing the filter

i have to wash my filter because it gets absolutely filthy from fish poop and bits of plant that have come off. i exect it's the same for most people. i dont think mine is as effective if i dont clean it weekly

 

[Kinhan]

yeap. i get alot of gunk in my filter...alot!! i think i put too much food in and alot gets sucked into the filter.

so i wash it out...