Neon Tube And Filter Sponge

[andyboy!!]

Hi

How oftne should you change the neon tube. I read in my book you should keep them no longer than 12 months. When I went into my pet shop, they said they last about 5 years?

Also, what's the best way to clean the filter sponge? I do mine every month. I dip it in tank water and swill it around. I give it a couple of squeezes. Should the sponge have brown 'scum' building up on it over time?

Cheers for all your help
Andy.

 

[doresy]

Hi

How oftne should you change the neon tube. I read in my book you should keep them no longer than 12 months. When I went into my pet shop, they said they last about 5 years?

Also, what's the best way to clean the filter sponge? I do mine every month. I dip it in tank water and swill it around. I give it a couple of squeezes. Should the sponge have brown 'scum' building up on it over time?

Cheers for all your help
Andy.

Sounds like you are doing it right. Really its best to do that to only half the amout of your media. If you just have one piece of foam then cut it in half. Then clean how you already do but only to the top or dirtiest bit then swap positions so the next time you again clean the top/dirtiest bit....get my drift?

What filter do you have BTW?

 

[for_my_fish]

ok my stupid question of the day. whats a neon tube? I'm assuming UV?

Sounds you are doing the right thing with your filter media. Just enough to keep it going, but not too much so as to lose the bacteria.