How to clean filter cartridges

[warren63]

Ive got an aquaone nano which the filter is incorporated into the tank. Once the water flows in thru the intake grate it firstly goes thru 2 filter cartridges. Since the tank has been running a couple of weeks I thought I would give these a clean in anticipation of getting some shrimp. So can someone please tell me the correct way to clean these without wiping out any bacteria etc already in them. At this moment I only have the water in the tank so would possibly need to treat some tap water for the cleaning purpose? Look forward to your guidance.

[ineke]

You should always clean the filter in used tank water not straight tap water . So when you siphon water from your tank in your normal weekly/fortnightly routine you rinse the filter media in that. Now if your tank has only cycled and had no livestock in it you probably don't need to clean it. Also being a new tank it is best to do one compartment at a time so alternate cleaning them to maximise bacteria on the media. I have 2 of these cubes and do like them but after 6 months of catching shrimp out of the filter area I took the whole little sump area out and have gone to sponge filters because despite every precaution I took the shrimp still got into the filters and they are a real pain to catch out

[warren63]

Thank you I will start to save all my water when doing a change

[ineke]

Truthfully you shouldn't need to clean those cartridges very often. Shrimp have a very low bio load. Unless you are stirring up the substrate or over feeding you shouldn't need to do it for 6 weeks or more. Basically when the water flow is getting down a bit

[northboy]

No need to clean it, you have had no live stock, so it has not cycled!! you need something in it making waist to get the good bacteria going.

Nothing kraping in there no good bacteria. Stock it slowly over a couple of weeks = no trouble.

I clean filter 2 or 3 times a year or when they slow down.

As Ineke said always clean your filter in water from you tank when you do a water change

Bob

[warren63]

Thanks just being too cautious haha. I'll leave it for some time before I consider it

[northboy]

Don't stock to fast and do not feed too much in the first 6 weeks and you will avoid the troubles.

Most people put in too many animals too soon and have the feed and feed, that will kill faster than anything else, I cart fish to the local markets on weekends and they are never fed Thursday to Sunday = 4 days a week and they are not skinny from only being feed 3 days a week, shrimp included.

Bob

[Wraithie]

You won't need much water to clean the sponge either, the aim is not to 'clean' the filter, but to remove some of the gunk :)

[jayc]

Since the tank has been running a couple of weeks I thought I would give these a clean in anticipation of getting some shrimp.

As others have said, you don't need to clean the filter if its only been running a couple of weeks. In fact, it's one of those rare things in life that can be encouraged to be kept dirty. The older and dirtier it is, the healthier your tank is.

[2OFUS]

I have not cleaned my canister in 2 yrs lol

i have not even cleaned the sponge filters

[jayc]

Yeah me too.

Isn't it refreshing to know that there are some things in life that just doesn't need all that much attention.

Just sit back and enjoy the tank.