Filter cleaning???

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Thegrimreefer, Mar 21, 2012.

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  1. Thegrimreefer

    Thegrimreefer Astrea Snail

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    Feb 19, 2012
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    Location:
    Davie, FL
    Can someone please tell me how often I should be cleaning my canister filter? I have a standard 30 gallon tank setup for about a month now. I have yet to clean it and my cycle is complete. Do I clean it before adding fish? If not, then when? And while I'm cleaning it, is it ok to let the tank go without ANY filter for how ever long it takes to clean it? Thanx!!
     
    Thegrimreefer, Mar 21, 2012
    Thegrimreefer, Mar 21, 2012
    #1

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  2. henningero

    henningero Astrea Snail

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    What are you running in the canister? Just carbon? How much live rock do you have? It's fine to leave the tank without any filtration while you clean the canister. Some people only run the canister sporadically, and many don't run one at all.
     
    henningero, Mar 21, 2012
    henningero, Mar 21, 2012
    #2
  3. Thegrimreefer

    Thegrimreefer Astrea Snail

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    Yes, carbon and some sponge. Maybe 55+lbs of LR.
     
    Thegrimreefer, Mar 21, 2012
    Thegrimreefer, Mar 21, 2012
    #3
  4. henningero

    henningero Astrea Snail

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    OK, I'd change out the carbon and clean the sponge before you add the fish, although I don't think it would really matter either way...
     
    henningero, Mar 21, 2012
    henningero, Mar 21, 2012
    #4
  5. Thegrimreefer

    Thegrimreefer Astrea Snail

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    Davie, FL
    Ok thanks. And how often after having fish should I clean it? Does it depend on how many fish I have? When I clean the filter, should I also clean the intake and return water tubing and hoses?
     
    Thegrimreefer, Mar 21, 2012
    Thegrimreefer, Mar 21, 2012
    #5
  6. grinder37

    grinder37 Whip-Lash Squid

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    You'll want to clean it every couple weeks when you do a water change to prevent the mechanical filtration from turning into biologogical filtration with the growth of bacteria in the filter or becoming too dirty and create a nitrate producer.You want your liverock to be your biological filter and the canister to remain a mechanical/chemical filter.
     
    grinder37, Mar 21, 2012
    grinder37, Mar 21, 2012
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  7. Havasuviking

    Havasuviking Plankton

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    every water change hopefully once a week
     
    Havasuviking, Mar 21, 2012
    Havasuviking, Mar 21, 2012
    #7
  8. khowst

    khowst Bangghai Cardinal

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    It is really going to depend on several factors, your bioload, the amount of feeding you do, there is alot of factors.

    What is is really going to come down to is expereince. Keep an eye on it and as you get more knowledgable and experienced you'll know when its time. Sounds like some sort mom/dad type answer but its really the most true.
     
    khowst, Mar 21, 2012
    khowst, Mar 21, 2012
    #8
  9. henningero

    henningero Astrea Snail

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    Yes, I clean mine weekly along with 35% WC.
     
    henningero, Mar 21, 2012
    henningero, Mar 21, 2012
    #9