OMG

[Fiddlesticks]

What exactly happens when you do clean the filter in tap water? I have been doing it that way since I got my fish quite a few years ago. No one ever told me that it was bad. I havent had any casualties because of that though.( Or is that what killed pinky?I thought he was just old) I will definately do the bucket thing from now on though. Im just curious what is bad about it.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

The chlorine and chloramine will kill off the good bacteria culture in the filter.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Seeing as how chlorine is added to tap water to kill the bacteria and make the water safe for human consumption, it's only logical to assume that it'd kill the bacteria in your filter.

It's a good thing that you've read up on it and are asking questions and modifying your approach. However, I haven't cleaned my filters to date, and I've had them for nearly a year. Filter maintenance is a monthly duty (or maybe 3 months), but if kept in good condition, you could probably decrease the amount of times you clean your filters.

 

[danuk]

so what water should i clean my filters out in then

 

[Cheese Specialist]

so what water should i clean my filters out in then

Tank water in a bucket.

 

[gixer]

people clean filters far too much IMO.

its just unnesessary to clean your filter so often. i will only clean mine if the flow really starts to slow down. and then its just a quick swill in some old tankwater.

it really is all you need to do. it takes many months before it needs cleaning even more if you dont have loads of decaying plant debris (which you should take out anyway)

 

[noelberg]

If you have a biowheel or something like that then I could see cleaning the filter in tap water as long as the biowheel is thrown in old tank water. Changing cotton or floss media (or those biowheel insert cartridges) regularly - monthly or every other month.