When/how Do I Clean My Filter?

[aquadude]

Hi. I have a tetra whisper power filter 30 in my 29 gallon tank, which is currently close to being finished with the nitrogen cycle. I've read a lot of different things about when and how to change the filter bag or clean it, but I'm a little scared to do so because I heard you can erase your nitrogen cycle by doing so. Can anyone tell me the proper way to clean this filter, or how often to change the filter bag without destroying the beneficial bacteria that have developed in it? Thanks

 

[fatheadminnow]

Clean the filter media once a month.

Here is video I made explaining how to clean your filter media:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=287704

-FHM

 

[bitteraspects]

Unfortunately that iflter is not really built for biological filtration. If at all possible, you should look into another filter that is.

For now, change your filter cartridge every 2-4 weeks (whatever it says on the package) and when you do so, take the old bag and put it in the old one. Don't forget to remove the carbon from both bags.

 

[OldMan47]

You can clean that filter by just rinsing the cartridge out in a pail of used tank water and putting it ri8ght back where it came from in the filter. Although the manufacturers would love to have ou buy a new cartridge each month I have some cartridges that are well over 4 years old and they get a good rinse about once a month to 6 weeks. When they finally reach a stage where you see them starting to fall apart, I stuff the old bag inside the new one to get it started. I use the refillable version of the cartridge that looks like this.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Unfortunately that iflter is not really built for biological filtration. If at all possible, you should look into another filter that is.

For now, change your filter cartridge every 2-4 weeks (whatever it says on the package) and when you do so, take the old bag and put it in the old one. Don't forget to remove the carbon from both bags.

I have a smaller whisper for a 5-10 gallon and there's a ton of extra space where more filtration media can be added in. As far as cleaning, after you change your water, take the filter out and swish it around in that water and then stick it back in the tank. Tap water/chlorine kills the good stuff and that is why you want to clean the filter in the old tank water instead.

As OldMan47 said, filters can last years if you take care of them properly. I've not yet replaced a single biological part of my filters in the 6-7 months I've owned them all. The only part I've ever replaced is the carbon and that is *ONLY* after I've put it in to remove medication.

 

[Shelby]

FHM,it looks like you have the aquaclear filter. Same as mine. It doesn't hurt anything to squish the sponges? I'm terrified of putting my tank into another cycle as I've finally got it balanced and healthy and all that jazz.

I also saw you had a net bag with some sort of something I'm assuming ceramic media. Where can I get some of that? I have my normal aquaclear sponge in my filter plus a couple of boiled kitchen sponges. Would love to put something better in there.

 

[fatheadminnow]

FHM,it looks like you have the aquaclear filter. Same as mine. It doesn't hurt anything to squish the sponges? I'm terrified of putting my tank into another cycle as I've finally got it balanced and healthy and all that jazz.

I also saw you had a net bag with some sort of something I'm assuming ceramic media. Where can I get some of that? I have my normal aquaclear sponge in my filter plus a couple of boiled kitchen sponges. Would love to put something better in there.

Squeezing the sponges very gently is just fine.

The stuff I have in the bag is called "Bio-Max," and it is made by AquaClear. It comes with all AquaClear filters. A new AquaClear filter comes with three components, the sponge, a bag of activated carbon, and the Bio-max. If you bought your filter second hand, then that would explain why you do not have any Bio-max. You should be able to buy any of these three components at any fish store that sells AquaClear filters.

-FHM

 

[FISH-FRY]

Clean the filter media once a month.

Here is video I made explaining how to clean your filter media:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=287704

-FHM

When I was looking into AquaClear Power Filters the manufacturer recommended replacing (in some peoples cases rinse) each filter separately and not during the same month. The foam is supposed to be changed monthly as well as the carbon (some people opt out of this filter) and the "Biomax" every three months.

For me this meant having to keep some kind of schedule and more maintenance time. I hate schedules. Not only that but I did the math on the recommended changes and it turned out to be almost double the price of what I wound up doing. These were some of the reasons I didn't go with this line. The adjustable flow control was one thing that attracted me but wasn't a deciding factor. Many swear by this filter

A little tip on the camera work. Turn auto-focus off and you need more lighting.

 

[fishyfeet]

just clean the cartridge out in old tank water during your water changes before you discard it, most manufacturers recommend replacing sponges monthly, this is a con, and ive not replaced a sponge in years, di

 

[fatheadminnow]

Clean the filter media once a month.

Here is video I made explaining how to clean your filter media:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=287704

-FHM

When I was looking into AquaClear Power Filters the manufacturer recommended replacing (in some peoples cases rinse) each filter separately and not during the same month. The foam is supposed to be changed monthly as well as the carbon (some people opt out of this filter) and the "Biomax" every three months.

For me this meant having to keep some kind of schedule and more maintenance time. I hate schedules. Not only that but I did the math on the recommended changes and it turned out to be almost double the price of what I wound up doing. These were some of the reasons I didn't go with this line. The adjustable flow control was one thing that attracted me but wasn't a deciding factor. Many swear by this filter

A little tip on the camera work. Turn auto-focus off and you need more lighting.

DO NOT follow what the manufacture says on the box! You NEVER change filter media unless it is falling apart. the sponge should last years if properly maintained! The bio-max should last a life time as it is just ceramics. The only reason why the manufacture suggests to replace filter media is for them to make more money.

The filter media is where 99% of the beneficial bacteria are housed, so replacing the media means you are going to wipe out all the bacteria, in which case you will need to re-cycle your tank! Yikes!

Aquaclear is, IMHO, hands down the best HOB filter on the market to day. There is absolutely no reason why you should not be able to keep the original media near 100% working order for years; 10+ years, down the line.

If you watch my filter cleaning video, and do what I did, your filter media will be near 100% functioning use for years!

-FHM