Equipment Review and Discussion :: cleaning bio media

[mantis]

we all do it. i like most others use tank water. im just wondering how you all do it? hoping its a better way than mine.

[dumbork14]

quick rinse with tap water. do you replace the sponge?

[mantis]

I replace it as needed.

[VeipaCray]

A quick rinse in tap water. If you have enough bio media, the little bit of bacteria that dies off from the tap water rinse doesn't affect the cycle. Tank water is the safest bet and RO water works just as well.

[mantis]

ahhh but the question is how do you do it? see i scoop out some tank water then put in the bio and shake it around the pour out the water. im looking for a better way.

[dumbork14]

well, i'm not sure if this is the right way or not, but i only clean the bio media when i'm doing a general cleaning of the filter itself (tubes,tray,etc).
-prepare a container with tank water to place the bio media while cleaning the filter (important for the bio media to stay wet at all times)
-once filter is all set up again, quick rinse from the tap water
-transfer the biomedia back inside.

[mantis]

well, i'm not sure if this is the right way or not, but i only clean the bio media when i'm doing a general cleaning of the filter itself (tubes,tray,etc).

how often do you clean the tubs tray ect?

[dumbork14]

every two months. but my filter is not a canister type, and some members can get away without cleaning their filter in a year.

[VeipaCray]

I clean the trays and canister parts (plastic stuff) every month when I take the filter apart. Every few months I'll inspect the impeller as well.

[mantis]

veipacray didnt i see in you build thread that you put you bio in a bag of some sort? if so does that make it easier to clean it?

[VeipaCray]

My bio media in a bag is for my sump on my planted tank. It makes it easier to clean as I can just lift the entire bag out of the sump. In the canister filters for the turtle tank, the bio media is just sitting in the baskets unbagged.

[mantis]

Ahh ok.

[LeonardoTheTerrapin]

As my biomedia are in 4 large individual bags in the different trays of the canister filter, I just rinse them one by one with the siphoned aquarium water before it's discarded.