Finally cleaned my 2026 after 14 months... PIC INTENSIVE!!

mott

AC Members
Apr 7, 2008
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I finally cracked my 2026 open, the last time I did this was February of 09!
I wanted to see how long I could go without cleaning, usually I clean this can every 4-6 months.
Funny thing is I was hoping at the 12 month mark I would see some kind of significant flow loss, I'm surprised to say it only slowed somewhere between 10-15 GPH. This with a full sized Co2 reactor on the output!
This can really caught a LOT of dirt and plant matter and about 50-60 red cherrie shrimp:22_yikes:

On to the pic's


The quick disconnect:
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Pump/Impeller side:
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Impeller cover, not to bad!

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Impeller, Yikes! But still as quiet as day one.

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Top basket, yes that is floss after 14 months!

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The floss practically fell apart in my hand:
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Look at how much gunk OMG!
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Here is why I think canisters can go so long in between cleanings with a small amount of flow loss, Pre filter rings! these things catch an amazing amount of large matter BEFORE the sponge/bio floss WITHOUT clogging, look at all the stuff in there( this is where I found most of the shrimp were living :)
Anyone with a canister should try pre filter rings if you don't have them already, I swear by em.
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And finally a nice clean can!

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Hope you guy's enjoyed this as I actually had fun documenting this!
Mott
 
Interesting, thanks :)
 
wow that filter floss is NASTY!!!
 
It worked so long, so well, so quietly (even with gunked up floss) because it's an EHEIM. :-)

I go six months but I've been afraid to go longer than that. After your inspirational post, I just may risk it. . .
 
And I thought cleaning my filter every 2 months was a bit lazy...

That filter floss looks like a disgusting chocolate sandwich :D
 
EWWWW
 
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