rinsing out filter media

[ryanmr]

Hey everyone. I have a question concerning rinsing or cleaning filter media. I noticed after I gravel vacuumed my new tank for the first time that my HOB power filter (Aqueon 30) was pushing water over the bypass. I assumed this meant that my filter media was finally getting plugged-up and needed to be rinsed out. I read somewhere that you are supposed to rinse it out in a bucket of tank water as opposed to under the sink faucet. I rinsed it in a bucket of tank water and re-installed it. The flow was much better, but I could tell that I could have probably cleaned it better as it looks like it might start to spill over the bypass again sometime soon. Is this the proper way to do this? Why can't I rinse it under some fresh tap water? Will I kill off beneficial bacteria colonies? As I understand it, The bacteria are primarily located on another section of the filter called the bio-holster located just after the filter media. Or should I just buy a new filter?

[ryanmr]

I didn't mean buy a whole new filter, just a new media cartidge.

[sleepyskater]

I just give my cartridge a good cleaning in tank water from a Water change

If you clean your cartridge in Tap water you'd be getting all sorts of bad bacteria onto your cartridge.
You could fill a bucket with tap water, de-chlorinate it, and then clean your cartridge

[jpappy789]

I rarely buy new cartridges, just wash off the junk in tank water and reuse it again. Saves the bacteria colony that way as tap water usually has some fore of chlorine that will kill the bacteria almost instantly.

[LeahK]

Why can't I rinse it under some fresh tap water? Will I kill off beneficial bacteria colonies? As I understand it, The bacteria are primarily located on another section of the filter called the bio-holster located just after the filter media. Or should I just buy a new filter?

The chlorine in tap water will indeed kill off your bacteria. If you want to rinse the cartridge in "clean" water, then just dechlorinate it first.
However, bacteria are not picky about where they live. They colonize all surfaces inside your filter.
Filter manufacturers label some kinds of media as "biological" (like bio-holsters, bio-balls, and bio-wheels) and other kinds as "mechanical" (like sponges and filter floss). But the bacteria don't pay attention to this distinction. Some people stuff their filters with cheap kitchen scrubby sponges. The point is just to have something with a large surface area, so the bacteria can come into contact with as much water flowing through the filter as possible.
If your filter cartridge is really so clogged that you can't get it clean enough to allow the water to flow freely, then throw it out and replace it with a fresh one. As long as you leave some of the media untouched (in this case, your bio-holster) then you should not experience a mini-cycle (although, it'd be good to test the water for a few days to be safe).
The important thing is not to replace (or aggressively clean) all of your filter media at once.

[ryanmr]

I rinsed it a second time in tank water and that seemed to do the trick. It's not going over the bypass anymore. thanks to all who replied=) I've read that the carbon contained in the filter pad isn't usually very effective after a couple weeks. Does this matter? I read an article here by Goldlenny that suggested removing the carbon from the pad to improve the flow rate. That makes sense if the carbon is no longer useful. Does anyone else do that? There is an initial chamber of water at the beginning of the filter, before the filter media, can I add some carbon to that chamber? Or is the carbon important at all and can I do without it?

[Mokomon]

I rinse mine under warm tap water as I have a well

[OldMan47]

I have a couple of filters that came with a bit of carbon inside the filter bag. The first time I rinsed them out, I dumped the carbon in the trash. By that time the carbon had been exhausted anyway so I really lost nothing by doing that.

[grannylvsfish]

Since I make my own I just scramble them in my tank water bucket ...... some times the water turns to muck so I make more declorinated water and give them another rinse. I always do only 1 filter at a time, keeping the other one for the next tank cleaning. when my home made filters are pretty clogged I throw them out and do a new one ( only one filter at a time) today was the day I did this. when I throw the filter away in my 10 gallon tanks I cut the filter in a strip, add it to the new filter media. I save a ton though, I buy my media in a roll :lol:

[jpappy789]

Carbon is a complicated subject. I personally believe it's a waste of money unless you are trying to remove something specifically such as medicine after treatment. Seeing as it needs to be replaced every couple of weeks, it gets expensive.

[petluvr]

I don't have carbon in any of my tanks, I actually use poly fill instead of any of the more expensive cartridges. I agree with pappy IMO carbon is best used for removing meds. Have you tested your tap water for chlorine/chlorimine? I have well water and just rinse out the poly fill under the tap.

[Turbosaurus]

Chuck the carbon. If you ever need to remove meds or chemicals from your water you can add it, other than that, it doesn't do much good and if you run a planted tank its actually bad- or at least a waste- it will "clean out" some of the nutrients your plants need.

I run 11 tanks and haven't used carbon in a filter in 10 years.

[jpappy789]

it doesn't do much good and if you run a planted tank its actually bad- or at least a waste- it will "clean out" some of the nutrients your plants need.As far as I know, there is no documented evidence to support this theory. I'm fairly confident carbon will not clean out NPK or traces that plants need...

[yhbae]

I kept carbon just in case I need to remove medicine but I ended up not using it within 3 years of purchasing the filter.

Also, I kept re-using the sponge media too... Never had to buy a new media during the 3 years. Just keep rinsing in the tank water and you are good.

[chefjamesscott]

I rinsed it a second time in tank water and that seemed to do the trick. It's not going over the bypass anymore. thanks to all who replied=) I've read that the carbon contained in the filter pad isn't usually very effective after a couple weeks. Does this matter? I read an article here by Goldlenny that suggested removing the carbon from the pad to improve the flow rate. That makes sense if the carbon is no longer useful. Does anyone else do that? There is an initial chamber of water at the beginning of the filter, before the filter media, can I add some carbon to that chamber? Or is the carbon important at all and can I do without it?

i actually took the blue part and the carbon off of the plastic part with a pair of plyers and replaced it with a standard green scrubby and have dropped aqua clear filter bags in where the water flows through the green scrubby

seemed a pain to me to be replacing a cartridge ever 2 weeks when i can drop a filter bag in and leave it there and i dont really replace the filter bag as often as they say i just rinse it like all these others say so as to keep water flowing through it not blocked by it

i usually depend on regular wc to keep my water clean as well as testing to make sure all is good

[ryanmr]

I kinda figured the carbon thing was overrated. My tank water looks great and I'm sure the carbon in my filter pads dyed a while ago (the tank has been up & running about 6 weeks). I'm one of those guys who wants to stay far away from doctoring my water if at all possible. thanks for the responses everyone!