Filter Cleaning Process
- Thread starter BioHazard
- Start date
they appear to be rinsing only 1/2 of their media (sponges) in tap water. So yes, they might be killing 1/2 of their beneficial bacteria if they have chlorinated tap water.
that method might not be highly suggested to most aquarium keepers. but i know that slappy and 247 are very good and knowledgeable fishkeepers so they know what they are doing.
It could kill some, yes...but think of it this way; if the sponge is regularly cleaned in this manner, the bacteria never really get established on the sponge and colonize elsewhere. There are plenty of places for these bacteria to colonize (on the substrate, driftwood, rocks, other equipment and filter media that aren't cleaned in tap.) Having plenty of live plants makes a difference, as well. I've never seen a mini cycle in all the years I've done this. Keep in mind that I also run multiple filters on all my tanks so there is very little chance of the biofilter getting compromised in any way so as long as the tank itself isn't contaminated.
mellowvision
Seafood Lover
Oh ok. Its just easier for me to rinse it off in the bucket than walk all the way to my kitchen. Dont wanna drip on the hardwood floors lol
There's nothing wrong with that, Crab_Shack. 
I've cleaned them in the bucket before, as well. I just found that blasting the sponges under the tap cleans them just a little bit better. Sometimes I put the sponges in a bucket or pitcher in the sink and rinse/squeeze them until the tap water runs clear. There's no right or wrong way here as long as you clean the sponges as either a bio-media or strictly as a mechanical media in accordance to your own tried and true methods.
I've cleaned them in the bucket before, as well. I just found that blasting the sponges under the tap cleans them just a little bit better. Sometimes I put the sponges in a bucket or pitcher in the sink and rinse/squeeze them until the tap water runs clear. There's no right or wrong way here as long as you clean the sponges as either a bio-media or strictly as a mechanical media in accordance to your own tried and true methods.
I clean all my stuff in the bath tub under running water. Cleaning a filter does not remove a great quantity of bacteria unless you have a bare bottom tank. It's not like you scrub them spotless. Just get the worst of the crud off.
If any of may tanks jump into a minicycle just from cleaning a filter, that tells me I haven't been cleaning them often enough. By the same token, I am a bit anal about my maintenance as I have no excuse not to keep my tanks clean and sparkling.
If any of may tanks jump into a minicycle just from cleaning a filter, that tells me I haven't been cleaning them often enough. By the same token, I am a bit anal about my maintenance as I have no excuse not to keep my tanks clean and sparkling.
Well Im able to clean off the major gunk in a bucket of the aquariums water. Im more worried about the sponge as that accumulates ALOT of stuff due to the drift wood in my tank. I have not seen a mini cycle though . What about the stuff at the bottom of my AC filter? Should I rinse that out or is that good bacteria?
