Topic for discussion

[jbrimz]

Just a little topic for discussion

How often do you clean out your filter(s)

[guppyguy]

Well this is a easy one to answer. I rinse my filter cartridges once a week when i do my water changes. I take the entire filter apart and clean it inside and out every little nook and cranny once a month.

If you don't clean it out regularly junk builds up and affect your filters ability to function properly

[plantedrob]

I clean my filter once a week, but I only rinse 1 of the the 3 sponges at a time. To add a little part to the question, how often do you change your carbon?

[guppyguy]

I change my carbon every 4 weeks with great results.

[jbrimz]

I don't use carbon in my filters just mechanical and biological filteration in my filters

[3littlefishes]

I use carbon when I am starting up. Otherwise they will remove the peat (tannins) from my water and I have to take it out once things are going. If you have tank additives it would be a waste to use it.

[plantedrob]

When you say additives are you talking about fertilizing? I have always used carbon but recently have been looking into peat because my water is alkaline and would prefer acidic for my South American fish but removing the carbon makes me nervous.

[3littlefishes]

if your tank is cycled, go for it! I put peat into a cheesecloth baggy that I make with my sewing machine and then stick it on top of the sponge in my aquaclear. Or you can just boil it for a few minutes and dump it in your tank, or you can put it in a canister filter, or inside a box filter, etc etc

[3littlefishes]

oh and I only squeeze the sponge out in discarded tank water during a water change once a month. NEVER rinse your filter in tap water or it is like having to cycle all over again. Sterile is not a good thing when it comes to natural tank keeping.
I strongly recommend the peat it dropped my water from 7 to 6.

[guppyguy]

Just so you know when I say rinse I mean when in the old tank water in a bucket during a water change. Just to clear that up.

[glennd]

Never my 135 is filter free, I have two sponge filters and do weekly water change of about 30% . My tank is well planted and stocked with angels discus cardinals pandy corys brstle nose and yoyo loaches.

[Admin]

I usually clean my canister filter once a month, just rinse or replace all the media, excluding biological media

[Deleted]

I have done a tone of reading on line and you definately dont need carbon and suggested to remove in planted tanks so it dosn't filter minerals.It is a personal choice but you can save lots of money not using it. If you are not using just keep up on water changes once a week and add polyester quilt stuffing from Walmart. It is the same as the filter media they will sell you at pet stores for 10 times the amount. The polyester is not needed either but I like to use it to polish my water.It needs to be cleaned constantly so put it right on top so you don't disturb the rest of the filter media. I have 14 tanks all with aquaclear hang on back filters ,some I USE CARBON because they keep odours down,like for my 45 gallon goldfish tank in my bathroom. But most of them I don't use carbon,I stuff a sheet of poly gently on top of my bio bag and sort of stuff it around it so it dosn't float away. You will be amazed how dirty it will be in one day clean it out every day for a few days and your water will look incredible. It will were out fast, just throw it away and cut a new sheet.The key is you should have double the amount of filtration needed on freshwater tanks and triple on saltwater. It is just my opinion but all my tanks including my reef tanks are spotless. They almost look like they don't have water in them. As far as filter cleaning I don't touch them much unless I see they are slowing down or I'm bored,and when I do I only clean the bottom sponge. Now you know my secret good luck!

[guppyguy]

Well we all have ways of doing this. Like you I use carbon in one of my tanks and just sponges and bio max in others and have all aqua clears too But the polyester quilt stuffing sounds interesting. And thank you for all the tips.

[jbrimz]

same mainly use aqua clear but i am running fluval 205 on one tank fluval c4 on another and a aqueon filter and whisper 60 but everytank but 1 has an aquaclear on it