When and how do I clean my filter?

Glorygirl · 11-28-2006, 04:58 PM

Hi all, I set up a 20 gallon tank a month ago and it is still cycling. Ammonia is back to zero, nitrites are still up and nitrates just starting show today! YEA!! My question is: Do I wait till the cycle is complete (I believe so) to do any filter maintenance? I have a HOB AquaClear 30 (formerly called a 150). It has foam, activated carbon, and BioMax inserts. Do I rinse the foam one first in the used water from a water change or replace it with a new one? Same with the carbon next month? And how about the BioMax? I'd appreciate any feedback on filter maintenace so I get it right the first time.

Thanks for the help!!

Tommy Gun · 11-28-2006, 05:32 PM

Hi Glorygirl!

Sounds like things are looking good for you and your tank! Isn't it exciting!?!?!?

During a cycle, it may be best for you to not clean out the biofiltration media (the BioMax Inserts, as you point out) at all, just to be on the safe side. There is most likely nothing in it right now that can or will eventually plug it up or otherwise block the water from flowing through it. In the future, you should not discard it but do like you point out and simply rinse it gently in a bucket of the old water during a water change. The goal is to just get the 'gunk' and any algea that might be stuck in it without killing off the bacteria that is no it. Try not to rinse it in tap water or water that is under any sort of pressure as this could result in a mini-cycle later on.

The little sponge or foam pad is there also to promote bacteria growth, I believe, but I know in my old filter of the same brand, it is usually the first to get covered in slime and goo. All of this stuff that collects on it is typically not able to live (it was alive such as algea) and becomes a big source of nitrates rather quickly. One suggestion that was given to me recently was to keep two of these sponges handy...one for use in the filter and one to replace it with while you clean the first one out. I also read that by drying these sponges out, they become easier to clean and you can be more confident that it will be 'like new' the next time you rotate the two.

The carbon filter media is apparently a highly debated issue. From what I have read and understood, the carbon in your filter media does have a positive effect on your tank, however it's main purposes are usually short lived and the carbon becomes just another place for bacteria to grow. Since there is no real harm done either way, you can replace them as directed by your filter manufacturer, or like me, only replace them when I have used a medicine or would like to lower Nitrate levels more than a normal water change would do. Like I said, the carbon is very good as 'sucking' up medicines and chemicals like nitrates, however it sounds like they are not effective for as long as most claim they should be.

Congrats on getting this far with your tank and good luck in the future!

Jay · 11-28-2006, 05:40 PM

Hey Glorygirl

Good news on the cycle.

The filter is not the only place where the nitrifying bacteria grow. They will grow anywhere, gravel, glass, decorations etc. etc.

IMO it is not wise to encourage their growth in one place for obvious reasons. Go ahead and do your filter maintenance, clean the foam etc. The bio max can stay but it is much better to have a bio filter that encompasses the whole tank.

Since the nitrifying bacteria are more efficient in fast moving water I keep a handful of ceramic noodles in my canister filter, but not to the exclusion of allowing colonies to grow everywhere. Bottom line: clean your filter and change the filter material regularly. The Carbon is really not needed on a consistent basis.

I have a HOB on my 20 gal. guppy tank, NO bio stuff, tank is just fine. I thoroughly clean the filter and change the filtration material once a week. Foam filter inserts can be rinsed and reused. You will clearly understand what I am saying, when in a few months that bio filter stuff is yucky, gunkey, and smelly. Nitrifying bacteria (the ones we go through the cycling process to grow) do not do well in a dirty, gunky, environment. I don't care what it says on the label or advertising on the box

Regards,
Jay

Tommy Gun · 11-28-2006, 07:26 PM

Jay,

I am not trying to argue with you here, but why wouldn't it be wise to just clean of the biofilter media and leave it in the filter anyways, even if it is not the only place to grow bacteria on. I believe that the principle behind using the old tank water to clean the biofilter media is to ensure that it is not all gunky and smelly but I do not see the point of throwing it out and putting new stuff in then since it usually doesn't filter the water all that much, at least not in my filters where it is essentially just a bunch of filter-floss like material that feels like a scrubby pad used to clean dishes. Certainly it is not going to stop anything from going back into the tank as far as particulate matter and in my opinion, is only there for bacteria to grow on.

Like i siad, I used to have a HOB Aquaclear filter in which one would 'stack' three items on top of each other: a bag of little ceramic rings, a bag of carbon, and a sponge. There was also one little insert that was like the dish scrubber material which was explicetly pointed out in the directions as a permanant part of the filter and to be only cleaned and not discarded. This was probrably more important to my situation at the time since the tank was bare and used for ghost shrimp, but I guess I am just confused as to why you would basically say throw that biomedia out every so often...or am I misunderstanding something?

Glorygirl · 11-28-2006, 10:40 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the input. Tomorrow I will be doing a water change and will have a look into the filter. I will give the foam a rinse and put it back. Don't have a spare to rotate it with yet and too much snow and ice to go to town. Still not clear on how often to change either type of filter media though. Thanks again and I'm sure you will hear from me again with more questions. Glorygirl

Tommy Gun · 11-28-2006, 11:33 PM

Yea, I am sorry glorygirl, I didn't really answer your question in my way too long post (which is typical of me to get sidetracked!)

In my opinon, I do not think that you really need to change any filter media as far as a certain schedule goes. This is just based upon your doing some regular rinsing of any biomedia and cleaning of the other types of media. This is also dependant on whether or not you would like to keep the carbon portion in your tank or not. If yes, then change that media as often at it states (I am not 100% sure, but I think it is somewhere in the range of three weeks to a month typically. Like I said, I dont replace mine or take it out for that matter either) or even sooner depending on what you feel is best. My thinking is that the more bacteria in the tank, the better and so if you can add a place for it within a filter, it is always a good thing. Again, just my opinion.

I also should say that my second post sounds like I am basically the one who started the thread and this is not my intention. I am hoping that Jay can sort of clarify a bit more as to what he is getting at as far as the biofilter media in a filter to benifit us both (and others as well). I have to say that I am not exactly the new kid on the block with freshwater tanks, but I have usually found Jay to be very well grounded in his opinions and I have always found supporting info for what he points out. I am just confused as to if not changing the biofilter media results in limiting the bacteria within the tank like Jay said he doesn't like to promote or if the biofilter just allows you to have more bacteria all together and it will basically grow in either place, the tank and the filter.

So, sorry I couldnt be of more definitive help to you on this one.

trust-e-man · 11-29-2006, 12:35 AM

Jay i was wandering if this was true and old friend who use to be an aquariest and had been a manager of a aquarium store told me that activated carbon helps filter out metal and toxins like chlorien and chloramine which i already knew but he told me that its a type of air filter for the water it filters the air in the water removing alot of the air pollutants i trust this guy im sure hes right but i wanted to know what you think

gerri · 11-29-2006, 12:49 AM

Hi Glorygirl!

I have the BioMax on my 50 gal tank. I have had this tank for two year and bought it already set up and in use, so I am not sure about the beginning cycle and all of that but I can tell you that I love the BioMax filter system. It has been so easy to take care of and my water is almost always wonderful. Except when my grandaughter puts things in it that should not be there. I was thinking of getting one of those filters with the wheel for my smaller tank but now I think I will stick with the BioMax for it as well. I just need a larger filter (I think, I hope)...Good Luck the fish are adictive!

Jay · 11-29-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

aquarium store told me that activated carbon helps filter out metal and toxins like chlorien and chloramine which i already knew but he told me that its a type of air filter for the water it filters the air in the water removing alot of the air pollutants i trust this guy im sure hes right but i wanted to know what you think

A good water detoxer like "Prime" will deal with heavy metals, chlorine, and chlormines.

A weekly routine of water changes will deal with everything else.

Quote:

I am hoping that Jay can sort of clarify a bit more as to what he is getting at as far as the biofilter media in a filter to benifit us both (and others as well).

Sure! I think we need to be careful when we let product marketing become gospel so to speak. I also feel that many folks do not really understand what tank cycling is, how it works and why it is important. They only really focus on the fact that they need a "bio filter" because they were told it is necessary.

Nitrifying bacteria have been around for ever, they never needed special pads, wheels, gadgets etc. until enterprising folks realized that they could market to that "I was told I needed a bio-filter" beginner. Marketing and advertising sell product and create a need for that product in the beginner.

I'm not saying the products do not work, I am saying they are optional to the limit of your disposable income and need for gadgets. The bacteria will colonize your tank without a filter present and do just as well. Add some water circulation with a power head (which you should do anyway) and they become more efficient.

The BioFilter Pad:

Nitrifying bacteria need oxygen to work. In the close confines of a filter box with gunk building up on the pad other, much more rapidly growing, bacteria begin to establish themselves starving the good guys of needed oxygen killing off the colony. The bio wheel is an attempt to deal with that problem.

The size of the colonies is directly proportional to the amount of ammonia available (the bio load of fish) If your major colony is on that filter pad and it has a problem then you are going to see a mini cycle or worse.

Bottom Line: step back and see the bio filter as part of the entire closed environment not just in the filter.

Like I said, My 20 gallon guppy tank is thriving, water is crystal, parameters are perfect. It has no bio pads, wheels, bags, stars etc. I thoroughly clean the filter once a week and throw out the dirty filter fluff, which is all the mechanical filtration the tank needs. The bio filter is my tank.

Regards,
Jay