When do I clean my Fluval 305?

I have the Fluval 305 with the foam/carbon/filter pellets. When should i change them out?

Thanks

 

srd4484

many people will have different maintenance routines

me

Carbon - I would remove that and replace at monthly intervals and sooner if my water had a yellow tint to it

Foam - weekly whilst doing water changes , I would rinse that in the bucket of old water I had taken from my tank

pellets - if they are in a basket, then I would also remove basket and dip and rinse a few times in the bucket of old tank water each week

cannister body - Monthly I would disconnect and remove it , pour some old tank water into it, swirl it around and then pour it out again

Steve

 

I agree with Steve but would bump the carbon change to every two weeks if you have a reef tank.

 

Do I keep any old pellets or replace with everything new?
Thanks a lot

 

Pellets , these are biological media , and dont need replacing, just cleaning regularly to prevent waste accumulation and potential nitrate issues IMO

Steve

 

I have this filter and this is my routine.It's also a good idea to remove and flush out the hoses every six months or so as nasties can accumulate in them,a garden hose should work fine.

 

The only thing you should replace is the carbon,rinse the foam filters and the pellets in your old tank water from a water change to remove any accumulated gunk then put them back in.This way you keep the good bacteria living in them.