View Full Version : how often do you clean a cannister?
rekfitz
02-24-2003, 9:18 AM
hi to all just wanted to know how often do you recommend breaking down a fluval 404 and cleaning it?
Faramir
02-24-2003, 10:10 AM
Totally depends on how many and what sort of fish you've got.
125gJoe
02-24-2003, 11:04 AM
If there is sucha thing as an 'average' aquarium and fish load, I'd say every 3 weeks is a good idea. We are alternating on the 2 canisters we have, and clean one each week at the time we do the water change.
Ekliptix
02-24-2003, 1:10 PM
9 months:o
Slappy*McFish
02-24-2003, 6:33 PM
I clean my Eheim about once every 2 months, right after I do a 50% water change.
Tyler718
02-24-2003, 6:42 PM
I do 1/2 of mine one week, then the other 1/2 the next week. IMHO it makes cleaning the canister quicker and easier than being left to clean after a month or so of use.
Mrditty
02-24-2003, 7:39 PM
I have three and I clean 1 every 4 months on a rotating basis.
80gJoe either you are way anal or have way to much time on your hands.
;)
http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/cannister.shtml
125gJoe
02-25-2003, 3:54 AM
Originally posted by Mrditty
I have three and I clean 1 every 4 months on a rotating basis.
80gJoe either you are way anal or have way to much time on your hands.
;) We have Discus and need to make sure we have exceptional water........
And why not provide your fish the best water you possibly can? :)
Come on --- what's the going rate on filter floss?? And - a little extra time on the maintanence?
I suggest for those that go 2 months (and even more...) without at least 'checking' to see how much 'build-up' is in there, to try after 1 month. You are also losing suction and effectiveness having a clogged filter.
I open my three Ehiems once a month and take out the fry that have been sucked up, replace the filter floss and check the impeller, check valve etc. At 6 months I put in a new filter sponge on the bottom as the plant mulm seems to start cloggin it up.
Alex
Slappy*McFish
02-25-2003, 5:04 PM
My Eheim never shows any signs of being "overly clogged"...though it is pretty dirty when the times comes around to clean it, the weekly 50% water changes more than compensate for any pollutants coming from the filter.
Tyler718
02-25-2003, 8:19 PM
Originally posted by Mrditty
I have three and I clean 1 every 4 months on a rotating basis.
80gJoe either you are way anal or have way to much time on your hands.
;)
Just like him I keep Discus in one of my tanks, but in all it takes me only about 3 hrs per week to do water changes on all tanks, clean 2 canisters, & 5 HOB. Then the next week I'll do the other canisters instead.
rekfitz
02-26-2003, 2:32 AM
ive got a 135g tank with 2/ 7" oscars,1/4" texas,1/ large angle,2/3" convicts,4/small silver dollars,1/5" blood parrot,2/4"piktus cats,1/5"upside down cat fish & 2 small sucker fish iam running 2 fluval 404's i have got a smaller 35G tank that iam going to set up so as i can move some of the smaller fish out.