If you have a hang on back (HOB) filter system, you only clean the filter cartridge if the flow rate diminishes or if the filter backs up back into the tank via the overflow outlet. However, don't let more than month pass between cleaning and maintaining your filter since it will build up significant detritus which will being to decay and may cause nitrates to climb quickly.How Power Filters WorkPower filters draw water up a lift tube and into a filter chamber; there the water is pushed through a series of filter media (from the bottom to top of the back to the front), providing biological, chemical and/or mechanical filtration. After the water goes through the filter media, it flows over an overflow and back into the tank. The water moves with the aid of a water pump which pulls it through the lift tube or it's transported by air bubbles that bring water into the lift tube and then the filter box.Clean your filter at least once a month -- it only takes 20 minutes and will help keep your fish healthy.

Clean a Hanging Power FilterHave fresh filtration media, a small pitcher, and a bucket on hand before starting.Place about 2 quarts of tank water in a small picture and set aside.Turn the filter off and unplug the cord from the electrical outlet.fish tank supplies perthGently lift the filter off the aquarium and place in a clean bucket.fish tank wood floorRemove the sponge insert. cheap fancy fish tanksIf it is disposable, discard it and skip to step nine.betta fish tank keeps getting cloudyIf the sponge insert is refillable, discard the filtration media inside it.marine aquarium fish online india

Place part of the tank water in a small bowl and gently rinse the sponge in it. Refill the washed sponge insert with fresh media, close and set aside.Remove any algae or lime deposits from the filter housing, and rinse thoroughly with fresh water.wholesale aquarium fish in puneRinse the new or refilled sponge insert using the pitcher of tank water.Place the rinsed sponge insert in the filter housing.Hang the filter back on the aquarium. Using a small cup partially fill the filter with tank water, then replace the cover.Plug the filter in and turn it on. Power Filter Cleaning TipsIf you use refillable inserts, be sure to seal the container of filtration media very tightly after each use.It's a myth that you should never replace the filter insert. Dirty filters that can no longer be cleaned thoroughly are unhealthy.If your "bio bag" filters or filter cartridges contain carbon, you can dump the carbon out after a few weeks because it's lost its effectiveness at that point.

Doing so will also improve the flow rate through the empty cartridge. In addition to the maintenance needed for the filter media, you also have to periodically clean the pump on your power filter and the lift tubes. You can accomplish this easily with aquarium tube cleaning kits available at stores.TIPS FOR CLEANING AND MAINTAINING YOUR TANK FILTER How Often Should You Clean It? The chances are that you probably already have some kind of system or schedule in place when it comes to cleaning your aquarium. In addition to performing weekly water changes, you probably also perform a larger water change once a month and replace your filter media. But when do you clean your tank filter? Do you clean it at all? If you want to keep your tank clean and running properly, you need to include your aquarium filter in your routine cleaning schedule. Hang-On Filter – This is one of the most commonly used types of aquarium filter and they should generally be cleaned every few weeks, or at least once a month.

You can schedule your cleaning to coincide with replacing your filter media. Sponge Filter – This type of filter provides mechanical and biological filtration as tank water is pumped through a sponge. To ensure that the filter keeps doing its job you need to clean the sponge about every two weeks. Canister Filter – An enclosed type of filter, canister filters can go the longest between cleanings – they may only need to be cleaned every three to four months. Undergravel Filter – Cleaning this type of filter is tricky because it is buried under your tank substrate but you should at least vacuum the gravel every two weeks for basic maintenance. In-Tank Filter – Similar to hang-on filters, in-tank power filters need to be cleaned every few weeks or at least once a month. Cleaning Tips for Aquarium Filters Canister Filter – The first step in cleaning a canister filter is to unplug and remove any other equipment that may be attached to it such as an inline heater – try to unplug the heater a few minutes before turning off the filter so it has time to cool down.

When you are ready, fill a bucket with water from the tank and empty the filter media into it – it is important to keep them wet so they don’t dry out and kill the beneficial bacteria. When cleaning your canister filter you need to focus on the canister itself as well as the impeller and the hoses. Use a soft brush to scrub the impeller and the hoses, as well as the small parts that keep these things together. Make sure everything is completely clean before you reassemble it – incomplete cleaning is the primary cause of leaks for canister filters. When you are finished cleaning, fill the canister with tank water before hooking it back up and turning it on. Sponge Filter – The method for cleaning your sponge filter will vary a little bit depending on what kind of sponge filter you have. If it is powered by a powerhead or pump, you will need to disconnect everything and clean the impeller in the same way you did for the canister filter. Be sure to rinse out the services lines as well, using a toothpick to remove any accumulated debris.

If your sponge filter has an air filter, check it and make sure that it is clean – if it has become discolored it may need to be replaced. To clean the sponge itself, place it in a bucket of tank water then squeeze the sponge gently a few times to remove most of the solid debris. Make sure not to let the sponge dry out during cleaning. Hang-On Filter – Maintenance for a hang-on filter is essentially a combination of the cleaning process for sponge filters and canister filters. You need to disassemble the filter and scrub the impeller and intake tubes as well as any small parts. Depending what type of filter media you are using, you may need to use a similar process as listed above to clean out the sponge. If your filter has a bio-wheel or some other biological filtration component, float it in the tank or place it in a bucket of tank water to keep it from drying out during cleaning. In-Tank Filter – These aquarium filters are usually very similar to hang-on filters but they are much smaller.