to try or not to try....

[steeltown]

I've always used buckets and tank water to clean my AC sponges.

Then I finally bought a python. I use the faucet pump to drain the tank water into the sink....SO MUCH EASIER.

Well... I can't help but wonder just what would happen if I rinsed them out under the mix of tank and untreated tap water.

Has any one tried this? I know I may totally foul up my biological filter, which is why I haven't done it yet:)

I'd love to hear from any one who has any thoughts/experiences on this. Just curious as to how tough our little "bacteria" are.

Thanks

[anonapersona]

If this is the only filter in the tank, don't use tap water.

If you have a second filter in service on this tank, or if you have lots of real plants and they are growing well and are functioning as a second filter, then you might try it.


FWIW, I just built a DIY Python and on the tanks that have filter media that needs rinsing, I birng a bowl over to the tank and scoop out some water to use for rinsing. It goes into the big bucket that I carry from room to room. I save that filter rinsing for potted plants, they like fish mulm.

Since I'm still new at this, I'm still working out the best way to do multiple tanks. Seems that draining all of them and then filling all of them will work best since the 50' hose will reach all tanks from the central sink location. I have a ball valve on the end that maintains the siphon as I move from tank to tank, so on the drain cycle I can shut off the sink as soon as the water begins draining, and then I can easily move to the next tank. I carry a big bucket from room to room during the fill cycle, just in case I start leaking during the filling as I turn the sink on and off between the different tanks. I have a heater suction cup on the tank end of the hose, at the ball valve, so that it will stay in the tank when I have to go to the sink to turn the water on or off.

[steeltown]

anonapersona,

thanks for the reply. I do have 2 filters, no plants though. I may give it a try with rotating them....but the ball valve is a very interesting idea. That would actually be much simpler. I 'll have to make a run to the hardware store and check it out. See if I can convert a python into a DIY project:)

thanks again.

[RTR]

Pythons come with a shut-off valve near the end.

[750t]

I use two sponges, the top one dos not get that dirty so I rinse it in tank water. Now the bottom one gets pretty nasty so I rinse ii in tap water. Never had a promblem.