THANK YOU! Genuinely, I am about to upgrade to my first canister filter from a HOB, and this video covered exactly the info I needed, while also making me relieved to know I've been doing my HOB exactly the way you described!
What do you think about running 2 filters so you don't have to worry about messing the cycle up? I have a 90g tank with a medium sized canister filter, and a cascade 600. Cascade 600 is a submerged filter with an air intake. 3 Ranchu goldfish, and will probably leave it at that so I don't have to do as much maintenance. Goldfish are swimming dumpsters with how much they mess up water. More like keeping turtles than anything. I like having 2 in this tank because I need to clean them more than most others. I only clean one filter at a time so the cycle doesn't get too wonky. I think doing your water changes is more important than worrying about your filters all the time though. That's just my opinion though. Wish I'd see more Ranchu and fancy goldfish besides koi.
Love the video - learning that - after 12 years in the hobby, there is still more to learn - that's why I watch your content. The "government" reference was unusual, but . . . .
Great video! Yep - basically there isn’t enough contact time for the chlorine or chloramines to do any serious damage to beneficial bacteria in the few seconds the sponge is exposed to the tap water. 😀
@Prime Time Aquatics does the difference in temperature between your tap water and tank water cause any damage serious damage to beneficial bacteria? I follow what you do but try match the temps (by feel) from the tap because I fear killing bacteria, is there cause for concern?
@@donperera8415 Personally I haven't noticed a problem doing that. Now wall that does answer the temperature question in my opinion it does anyway. As far as the other part goes I can't be so sure, as my city seems to purify the water with ammonia and then about once a month shock the system with chlorine. When I smell the chlorine in the water I don't add it to the tanks even if they need water I wait for the smell of chlorine to go away and then add it. My nose seems to be sensitive enough to detect it before it gets to harmful levels.
I stopped keeping fish some time ago cus I was overwhelmed by all the work they needed, you guys made me realise I wasn't just doing too much work but I was removing all the bacteria every month, now Im getting back to aquariums in the form of a 2.5 galoon shrimp tank
Years ago when I started this crazy awsome, expesive and immersive hobby, I was told to do a 70% water change every week and clean filter fully 100% clean under hot water...man how things have changed in 30 years. Been in the hobby for a long time and still loving it every day.
I just started last year. I was real high on myself cause I always had crystal clear filters etc.. we learn from our mistakes. Who’d ever think it’s better not to clean. I still never had dirty filters like in this video. Maybe still doing too often. As someone who has gotten past a speedy lifestyle and slowed down I find this fish life extremely awesome! Wish I started long time ago. Probably might have gotten me out of some trouble😊
What a great video! I'm glad you've come out with this for those who are new to fish keeping. I'm running a Fluval canister filter on one of my tanks and its been on the tank for about a year now, and I havent touched it in about 3 months now - my water is still crystal clear and just goes to show that you don't need to clean them out as often as you think or the manufacturers say. Once I start noticing the water running slower from the outtake, that's when I give it a clean 😊
I trust Jason over most of the fish keeping community, I keep my fish keeping advice to just a few channels. When it comes to the major stuff I look for my three favorites for advice. KG, Prime Time or, Aquarium coop.. I go to a couple other channels for plants and scaping but when it comes to the health of my fish, you guys keep me straight.
I set up a beautiful tank for my mother. She didn't clean the filter for almost a year, and said that the green water was 'natural'. 2 out of the 12 fish died. And no she didn't even do water changes. Lesson learnt: not everyone is meant for this beautiful hobby. They are either too lazy or don't know how. The good news is that she is learning and even spent good money on new filters.
I read the title and I thought we were talking about the exterior of the aquarium. I have been grossed out by the buildup I have seen on aquarium lids, hosing pipes and lights. It just looks to me that someone never ran cloth, razor, or toothbrush over anything...like ever 😲
As i clean the canister and sponge filters when doing a water change i will still use a bucket to clean my filters and the poopy water goes on to plants to act as a fertilizer.
Thanks for the video. I love how you tell people your choices and why. I also like that you offer people other ideas/options on ways of doing things all the while you reiterate; Do what works best for you!😊
I was advised by my LFS to only clean filters in tank water that had been removed during partial water changes, as I was previously cleaning sponges in tap water, which was then causing water spikes. Since changing over to the tank water only method I've experieced considerably fewer problems regarding fish health and loss. Each to their own......but having tried both methods I know which works best for me.
I've always done it this way also and never had issues, but I can see the point in where rising the sponges in tap water while not touching the media at the same time won't be an issue either. It's not like the entirety of the beneficial bacteria is in the sponges.
A couple thoughts while watching your video. 1) Are there any fish that will dirty a tank faster? 2) I have not had live planes, will they dirty the tank faster? Enjoy the video, look forward to hearing your answer.
Somehow, this vid came up on the day where I was like, is it the time to start cleaning my HOBs? I clean my filters quarterly, the sponges get rinsed every two weeks.
@@ozzyaguilar6586 I have the same set up and with all the hornwort and other plants I’ve added. I’ve gone from water changes weekly to maybe monthly. I test maybe every two weeks and haven’t had to do a water change in over a month in any of my tanks!
I got an Aqeon HOB filter on my 10 gal tank. This with a pre filter on the intake I clean the intake pre filter frequently. However, no matter how dirty the main filter cartridge gets, I only replace it when it get so dirty that water can barely get through it any more.
Thanks for the informative video again. I usually prefer to squeeze the sponge filter out into 3 small buckets of tank water to avoid using the tap. By the time its squeezed into the 3rd it is clean, with no chlorine trying to mess with my bacteria.
Tap water has *maybe* 1 mg/L of chlorine in it; it's just enough to curtail microbial growth in clean tap water. Rinsing a filter with a relatively large amount of organic matter is trivial; the trace of chlorine doesn't keep killing and killing and killing. Cleaning in a bucket of tap water is fine. I would recommend, however, that cleaning a sponge to the point where no organic matter is coming out is overkill. It's that gunky organic matter that's doing the heavy lifting in your aquarium. Rinse lightly- squeeze once or twice in a bucket of water, to retain a good population of the desirable bacteria.
I use aquaclear HOB filters in my two aquariums, I use a python to do my water changes, I have three sponges in each of my HOB filters, when I decide that its time to clean one or more of the sponges I take them to the sink and rinse them under the water that is being drained from the aquarium, your not dipping the sponge into a bucket of nasty water over and over again, instead you are running it under a flow of water that is coming from the aquarium
I have well water, so no chlorine chloramine fluoride etc. Rinsing filters still sucks bc sludge always pours into the tank when I put it back in. Always nasty
Sunday funday!!! Like you and Lisa clean out your tanks on Sundays, I've decided to do the same... Once Schools starts back up in a few weeks, no time during the week!!! But PERFECT on Sundays!!! Thanks for the Ziplock bag trick for the sponge filters!!! Totally rocked that one!!! Love you guys!!!
Wow just finished cleaning my FX4 cannisters & saw this video .I go about 4 months between cleaning sponges + also have a marineland 400 on my 75 gal. which I clean about once a month
Thanks for the info! Have you done any videos on what to do if you tap water has higher nitrates? I live in UK, and often nitrates in tap are over 20ppm, they have been up to 40ppm. So doing water changes doesn't massively help with nitrate removal. I'm toying with the idea of collecting rain water (abundant n the UK...lol) is this good or bad? I can't see anything on it, but it sounds like the most natural way?
I never see you deal with internal filters. Is that just a European thing? Just wondering. The most popular and available filter here in Romania is an internal filter. I mean, the process is the same but I just think it is interesting that most American hobbyists never mention internal filters.
As John said, starter kits come with a hang on back with replaceable cartridges (they create future sales for the store) and most people stick with them. If they expand in the hobby it is often for bigger tanks and then HOB or cannister are usually needed. Internal filters work well but take up space in the tank. HOB and canisters do not take up space so there are not a lot of internal filters in use other than sponge or specialized situations like maybe betta, shrimp or breeding tanks.
I replace my sponges in my canister filter every 6 months because it's stupidly heavy plus I have a knee problem due to my past sports injury, and I'm just early 20's years old🤣🤣🤣 btw thank you john, it has already past a year now since I started getting into this hobby, I've watched a lot of your informative videos, from my bare bottom small aquarium until my planted 3ft tank today..
Oh goodness, I’ve been very lucky then. I totally clean mine about every other month. When I do, I do not vacuum the rocks or clean the tank deco. From now on I’ll do this. My Raphael cat fish is 10 yrs and I’ve had him 5 yrs now. He seems good and healthy thank goodness 😅
This is awesome info thank you sir 😊 I have a 20 gallon starter kit water looks awesome I clean filter once a month if. This was extremely helpful. I'm a beginner fish keeper. Fish doing great 👍 thanks
Please advise? I have just purchased a Fumak Submersible Fillter. Not a Flumak for my 2 cool Red Eared Sliders. Anyways, How do I clean this Canister? I can't find the pamphlet, nothing online? I think I should be getting more pressure behind the flow? Also I thought if I take it out of the Water a bit, the nozzle should shoot water but nothing happens when the Canister is still under water? Please advise? I always had Back Drop Filters but was disappointed. This is cleaning their green water awesome. Just seems clogged to me. I have the air hose hanging off the side as should be. I only get a gentle bubble with a 3 inch span of water forcing out?
I rinse my filters in separate bucket amounts of aquarium water. That way it squeezes clean. I’m wondering if I’m squeezing too vigorously though, b/c I’m getting white cloudiness that last a couple of days.
The OASE canister filters come with a pre filter, that you just unlock and remove, it's vertical column shape, and you don't even have to move the cannister itself. I've found that you can leave the cannister untouched for maybe over a year, depending on the amount and size of fish, just by cleaning the pre filter. Check it up if you haven't already ;)
Love your comment at 2:39, sad, but so true...Great vid John...I have 2 Seachem Tidal 110s on both my 100g acrylic tanks, clean filters / media ( with tank water ) every couple of months. The 2 filters on each tank are turning 900 gals an hour (21,600 gals in a 24 hour period) in my moderately stocked all male cichlid tanks. My tanks are crystal clear all the time...Canister filters, had them, done with them...Thanks John & Lisa, keep the vids coming...
Canister filters a pain for moving around? Haven’t you a machine for it? I have and it’s called HUSBAND. 😹 I rinse my sponges (Sponge filter, Hamburger Mattenfilter, Aquaclear and big Eheim) in my special buckets: I have heavily planted aquariums without fish (only snails). They need it. Purigen: I don’t use it as it filters very important humin and tannins out of the water. My fish (soft water!) need these two ingredients. Black water is not possible with purigen. Unfortunately. But matrix is ok.
I have a 5 gallon tank and I'm using Top Fin Silentstream 10 Power Filter with cartridge. Would I clean the cartridge the same way? You're saying good stuff is stored in the filter, so when do you ever replace the filter? or what would I do to prep for a new filter?
Hi, great vids, awesome advise! How long would you wait to clean a second FX6 filter after cleaning the first filter? I have a 225 with five Oscars and a Pleco and was wondering how long I should wait to clean the second FX6 filter to give time for the first to build good bacteria. Keep the vids coming! Thank you. Mike
Lol I solved the issue the LRB way. Only 2 of my tanks have filters now of any sort. they're 55 gallons . And I'll be taking the filters out of them next week. Full disclosure all my tanks are incredibly heavily planted. And my substrate Has an incredibly high surface area it's a type of lava rock called shadowbark, Over several inches Of course grade blasting sand. Current count 8 10 gallon, 8 5 and a 1/2 gallon For spawning. 9 40 breeders.
Hang on the back filter is covered in green (I don't know, algae) and there are plant (branches?) that are now flailing out of the water pump.. It just doesn't look healthy. I know nothing about fish or their tanks. Maybe it's a 5 gallon tank with 1 incredibly tiny fish.
When it comes time to clean the filter, the glass (outside), hood and underneath the glass top get cleaned as well, maybe a scrape on the algae if the little guys have gotten slack about it. All of this during a water change, so I don't have to disturb as much. I'll usually do a small gravel vac too, if needed. Dirty water goes in the plants.
8:57 so when you wash that sponge with sink water which sink water contains chlorine....etc so what you do with the sponge after washing? of course it's not right to put the sponge in filter immediately and turn the filter on.
In that tank they have 2 bichir, I think 3 oscars and the severums. I think it's a 360 gal. It's the one behind John in all the live streams for the last year or so.
@@DLMyth2 Make sure its a really big tank... They can easily get to 2ft in length (I think with John's two, one is about a foot and the other is about 14in so far) and some can even get to 3ft. Plus, they can jump to their deaths, so a super sturdy lid is required.
@@catwomanva Thanks for the information. Some planning will need to happen before I go all the way and get it. I already know of a store that sell baby Bachirs. Just need to figure out where I'll put the tank, plants, caves etc.
Off subject, sorry But yesterday evening feeling pleased with myself having done partial water change for boys (Bettas) I noticed pool of water round my old girls tank ( 200lt planted and inhabited by now fairly elderly danios) mopped up hoping maybe there was an explanation other than the obvious sadly there wasn't. Made many mistakes transfering to spare 54l the biggest being put gravel in bucket put new tank in situ then add gravel!! . Whilst it seems small it weighs a ton a I can now barely move. My main query is never really having reason to do so before. How in the world are you supposed to bloody catch them took me forever. Will get them bigger home when I can eventually move but not sure I can face it again 😳
Not going to make any commercial for a specific manufacturer, but I got a couple of canister filters. I am using intake sponge filters and I clean them every two weeks. Over the years I expanded the cleaning cycle for the canister filter itself and by now I am at three years! YES, THREE YEARS and its still looking ok. As a disclaimer I have to say that I dont have tons of fish in my tanks. Also I have teresstial plants on all my tanks, they really help cleaning the water.
I am hoping you can help me. I can't find any info on mysterious white, almost sand gradual sized speckles sticking (or growing) on the interior of my canister filter. I have never seen anything like this before. And I did just add some new, almost pumice type, multi shaped filter media. I did rinse it well and soaked it in fish water first. I wish i could attach a pic here so you could see what I'm trying to explain. If you have any insight could you educate me? Thanks for your time.
UGF with Malaysian Trumpet snails and lots of plants, been running for years - haven't had to break it down to clean yet - just gravel vac when suspended particulates are noticeable in the water column 💕👍
Interestingly, HOTB filters are not commonplace in the UK. Starter kits in small tanks have an internal filter and larger ones have a cannister here. You hardly see HOTB.
Great video like always, we clean out our hob and sponge filter once a week during our water changes. Will try using tap water to clean out the sponges, thanks
how often do yall change out filter cartridges? the box says to change it every 2 weeks or so but ive seen people say they only change it when the cartridge is torn. what works best ?
I think it's pretty bizarre that hobbyists are so focused on the beneficial flora of the filter. The filter material is just one thing in the tank. There is so much surface area for bacteria elsewhere in the tank. I think this fear of cleaning the filters may be partly because some people really may have a pretty bare tank otherwise. No substrate, no plants, no wood erc. If there's nothing else porous in the tank then sure, then it makes sense to cling onto that filter flora. But that will eventually then just lead to the filter getting blocked, and tank running on reduced filtration which can eventually cause a disaster in the tank. Just make sure there's porous ground elsewhere in the tank for bacteria to grow, and rinse the filter of all the gunk regularily so that it will keep running without problem. If you're really scared of destroying the balance, then clean parts of the filter instead of the entire thing. And next time, clean whatever you did not touch last time 🤷🏼 Just make sure the filter has no change to dry out, that's the fastest way to wreak havock. Keep it in water while you're cleaning it.
Good video/info. I tend to be on the cleaning too much side, but after watching a few more videos on this issue, I’m learning to let some debris. Swapped out my replaceable cartridges with coarse sponges from Aquarium Coop.
I was gifted a 20 gallon tank with a Eclipse hood filter system.. they no longer make filter cartridges for it that I can find. Any suggestions on what I can use for it?
I have used the seachem tidal 55 after issues with the Marineland . I love this filter. I do with there was more room for media, but it all works great. Best feature is no priming. I had a pump that wrote out and they sent me a new one.
i have a a HOB cartridge filter - just to clarify, you just replace the cartridge outright? Do you have to worry about all the beneficial bacteria being thrown out ? (e.g. do you somehow introduce the new cartridge while the old one is still in there so it seeds with bacteria? )
Thank you!! I am having an issue with my AquaClear. The basket keeps rising up and popping off the lid. I have a sponge, a thin water polishing pad, and bio filter on top. I thought it needed to be cleaned (I rinsed the sponge as you described and replaced the polishing pad) but the basket popped back up after a week. It causes the water to slowly leak out of the box.
Never had that problem myself, but if it is like my Fluval 30 gallon filter, perhaps the removable basket containing the sponge, ceramic biomedia, charcoal bag(..or whatever you have in the basket) has not been correctly locked inplace. Or is the media within the basket rising within the basket to push the lid up instead of the entire basket, itself rising?
I had the same problem a few times. I managed to avoid it by making sure the notches on the sides clicked onto the nubs. It's somewhat of a pain to do especially when the filter floss gets in the way. Good luck!
So why is everyone saying that replacing catrige will destroy tank cycle if bacteria is everywhere. Even without cleaning filter.. catrige is big problem according to some people. New tank owner here and in few days my head is more than full of informations what to do and what not to do lol.
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THANK YOU! Genuinely, I am about to upgrade to my first canister filter from a HOB, and this video covered exactly the info I needed, while also making me relieved to know I've been doing my HOB exactly the way you described!
What do you think about running 2 filters so you don't have to worry about messing the cycle up? I have a 90g tank with a medium sized canister filter, and a cascade 600. Cascade 600 is a submerged filter with an air intake. 3 Ranchu goldfish, and will probably leave it at that so I don't have to do as much maintenance. Goldfish are swimming dumpsters with how much they mess up water. More like keeping turtles than anything.
I like having 2 in this tank because I need to clean them more than most others. I only clean one filter at a time so the cycle doesn't get too wonky.
I think doing your water changes is more important than worrying about your filters all the time though. That's just my opinion though. Wish I'd see more Ranchu and fancy goldfish besides koi.
Ok
Why not get 2 or 3 buckets of tank water and clean the sponge?
Easy
Watering plants and gardens with the dirty water is a great recycling technique that conserves water and a great fertilizer. Thanks for the video
Thats exactly what I did with that dirty water 😊
I water my house plants with the dirty water from rinsing out the filters, they grow much better since I started doing it
Great. It's like compost tea. Great for plants
I dump my fish water onto our lawn, since i have pool filter sand as substrate, it shouldn't be going down the sink!
Especially if you're running a planted tank with expensive fertilizer, don't want to flush that...
Super helpful! Thank you so much, this information just saved my cycle
Took your advice, still haven't received my free fish 😁
I'm so glad I bought a canister filter. To me not needing to take anything frok aquarium is so much easier and convenient, the weight is not an issue.
Love the video - learning that - after 12 years in the hobby, there is still more to learn - that's why I watch your content. The "government" reference was unusual, but . . . .
filters take good care of your tank, so take good care of your filter.
Great video! Yep - basically there isn’t enough contact time for the chlorine or chloramines to do any serious damage to beneficial bacteria in the few seconds the sponge is exposed to the tap water. 😀
@Prime Time Aquatics does the difference in temperature between your tap water and tank water cause any damage serious damage to beneficial bacteria? I follow what you do but try match the temps (by feel) from the tap because I fear killing bacteria, is there cause for concern?
@@donperera8415 Personally I haven't noticed a problem doing that. Now wall that does answer the temperature question in my opinion it does anyway. As far as the other part goes I can't be so sure, as my city seems to purify the water with ammonia and then about once a month shock the system with chlorine. When I smell the chlorine in the water I don't add it to the tanks even if they need water I wait for the smell of chlorine to go away and then add it. My nose seems to be sensitive enough to detect it before it gets to harmful levels.
its nice to see real aquariums as background rather than green screen. lovely content i really appreciate it 😁
Who has green screens?
@@mandypdx previous videos
It took me a while to figure out my filter could go longer than I expected without being cleaned 😂
"We came into this hobby for the fish, not the work"
Me who came in the hobby for both 👁👄👁
Right?
The maintenance is so zen for me.
I stopped keeping fish some time ago cus I was overwhelmed by all the work they needed, you guys made me realise I wasn't just doing too much work but I was removing all the bacteria every month, now Im getting back to aquariums in the form of a 2.5 galoon shrimp tank
How’s it going now?
@@evonai Now I have 3 tanks one for some guppies and kuhli loaches, one dedicated to shrimp and snail's and one for some mosquito fish
@@Thebeetlemangr awesome!! 🥰
Years ago when I started this crazy awsome, expesive and immersive hobby, I was told to do a 70% water change every week and clean filter fully 100% clean under hot water...man how things have changed in 30 years.
Been in the hobby for a long time and still loving it every day.
I just started last year. I was real high on myself cause I always had crystal clear filters etc..
we learn from our mistakes. Who’d ever think it’s better not to clean. I still never had dirty filters like in this video. Maybe still doing too often. As someone who has gotten past a speedy lifestyle and slowed down I find this fish life extremely awesome! Wish I started long time ago. Probably might have gotten me out of some trouble😊
What a great video! I'm glad you've come out with this for those who are new to fish keeping. I'm running a Fluval canister filter on one of my tanks and its been on the tank for about a year now, and I havent touched it in about 3 months now - my water is still crystal clear and just goes to show that you don't need to clean them out as often as you think or the manufacturers say. Once I start noticing the water running slower from the outtake, that's when I give it a clean 😊
A deep substrate substantially reduces the need for mechanical filters.
Wow really? Im guessing thats as the flow around the tank guides water through a lose substrate or it just settling? Again im probably wrong haha
This video motivated me to get up and unf*ck my pond filter. Good thing, too, bc I found a baby possum in it. Rest in peace lil lady.
I trust Jason over most of the fish keeping community, I keep my fish keeping advice to just a few channels. When it comes to the major stuff I look for my three favorites for advice. KG, Prime Time or, Aquarium coop.. I go to a couple other channels for plants and scaping but when it comes to the health of my fish, you guys keep me straight.
Clean the sponge during water changes when tank water is draining
I set up a beautiful tank for my mother. She didn't clean the filter for almost a year, and said that the green water was 'natural'. 2 out of the 12 fish died. And no she didn't even do water changes. Lesson learnt: not everyone is meant for this beautiful hobby. They are either too lazy or don't know how. The good news is that she is learning and even spent good money on new filters.
2 out of 12? not bad for not cleaning it for almost a year tbh 😝
LOL I'm Amazed
I thought you wanted to say that your mother is doing it right.
My tank is super balanced and I actually never have to clean my filters. I was gonna say be careful with over cleaning and crashing your tank.
LOL diggin' the whole "if you subscribe" stick. I hope you make it more and more ridiculous as time goes on. Good stuff, as always!
I read the title and I thought we were talking about the exterior of the aquarium. I have been grossed out by the buildup I have seen on aquarium lids, hosing pipes and lights. It just looks to me that someone never ran cloth, razor, or toothbrush over anything...like ever 😲
As i clean the canister and sponge filters when doing a water change i will still use a bucket to clean my filters and the poopy water goes on to plants to act as a fertilizer.
Thanks for the video. I love how you tell people your choices and why. I also like that you offer people other ideas/options on ways of doing things all the while you reiterate; Do what works best for you!😊
I was advised by my LFS to only clean filters in tank water that had been removed during partial water changes, as I was previously cleaning sponges in tap water, which was then causing water spikes. Since changing over to the tank water only method I've experieced considerably fewer problems regarding fish health and loss.
Each to their own......but having tried both methods I know which works best for me.
I've always done it this way also and never had issues, but I can see the point in where rising the sponges in tap water while not touching the media at the same time won't be an issue either. It's not like the entirety of the beneficial bacteria is in the sponges.
Bruh... i have that aquaclear hang on filter and gut it to clean spotless... I been doing it wrong all this time.
why I love ya John always "KISS"in it!
A couple thoughts while watching your video.
1) Are there any fish that will dirty a tank faster?
2) I have not had live planes, will they dirty the tank faster?
Enjoy the video, look forward to hearing your answer.
Somehow, this vid came up on the day where I was like, is it the time to start cleaning my HOBs?
I clean my filters quarterly, the sponges get rinsed every two weeks.
Hey Dylan do u change the water once a week or bi weekly.
@@ozzyaguilar6586 I have the same set up and with all the hornwort and other plants I’ve added. I’ve gone from water changes weekly to maybe monthly. I test maybe every two weeks and haven’t had to do a water change in over a month in any of my tanks!
@@ozzyaguilar6586 Do you have gravel?
@@ozzyaguilar6586 Weekly I do anywhere from 20-60% water changes on my aquariums depending on the individual stocking
I got an Aqeon HOB filter on my 10 gal tank. This with a pre filter on the intake
I clean the intake pre filter frequently. However, no matter how dirty the main filter cartridge gets, I only replace it when it get so dirty that water can barely get through it any more.
Thanks for the informative video again.
I usually prefer to squeeze the sponge filter out into 3 small buckets of tank water to avoid using the tap. By the time its squeezed into the 3rd it is clean, with no chlorine trying to mess with my bacteria.
I touch my canister filters 2x a year, basically whenever the flow is slow lol
Tap water has *maybe* 1 mg/L of chlorine in it; it's just enough to curtail microbial growth in clean tap water. Rinsing a filter with a relatively large amount of organic matter is trivial; the trace of chlorine doesn't keep killing and killing and killing. Cleaning in a bucket of tap water is fine.
I would recommend, however, that cleaning a sponge to the point where no organic matter is coming out is overkill. It's that gunky organic matter that's doing the heavy lifting in your aquarium. Rinse lightly- squeeze once or twice in a bucket of water, to retain a good population of the desirable bacteria.
FLUVAL FX6 filters are work horses.
I use aquaclear HOB filters in my two aquariums, I use a python to do my water changes, I have three sponges in each of my HOB filters, when I decide that its time to clean one or more of the sponges I take them to the sink and rinse them under the water that is being drained from the aquarium, your not dipping the sponge into a bucket of nasty water over and over again, instead you are running it under a flow of water that is coming from the aquarium
I do the same with my oase pre-filters.
Like the analogy of the government approach if it ain't broke fix it until it breaks. Oh how true that is at so many levels.
I have well water, so no chlorine chloramine fluoride etc. Rinsing filters still sucks bc sludge always pours into the tank when I put it back in. Always nasty
Sunday funday!!! Like you and Lisa clean out your tanks on Sundays, I've decided to do the same... Once Schools starts back up in a few weeks, no time during the week!!! But PERFECT on Sundays!!! Thanks for the Ziplock bag trick for the sponge filters!!! Totally rocked that one!!! Love you guys!!!
Thank you Eduardo 😊 enjoy the rest of your time off!
I run a HMF on my 128 ltr guramy aquarium. I presume it’s due for cleaning in about two years.
Aquarium tip 101 buy a submersible filter
After a couple of years of watching your videos, I’m finally redoing my oldest tank and getting a few peacocks. 🤞🏻
Wow just finished cleaning my FX4 cannisters & saw this video .I go about 4 months between cleaning sponges + also have a marineland 400 on my 75 gal. which I clean about once a month
The government approach 🤣🤣🤣
i can tell by the smell of the tank if my filters need to be cleaned
Shoutout to kg tropicals from tidal 55 lol
I love the analogy if it ain’t broke fix it till it breaks haha. Excellent video
I do the same thing on my sponge filters by running them through the tap. It's much easier and gets the filter cleaner.
what about sumps?
Time to clean mine 😬🐠
Great video.
Great information, once again!
Thanks for the info! Have you done any videos on what to do if you tap water has higher nitrates? I live in UK, and often nitrates in tap are over 20ppm, they have been up to 40ppm. So doing water changes doesn't massively help with nitrate removal. I'm toying with the idea of collecting rain water (abundant n the UK...lol) is this good or bad? I can't see anything on it, but it sounds like the most natural way?
Just shared this TH-cam with another new fish keeper :)
Thanks so much 😊
I watched this while I was cleaning my canister filters. 3 down and one more to go. Totally threw me off when you said it’s okay to use tap water.
😂
" Don't be like the government. If it ain't broke fix it till it breaks" Loved that. You're the man John.
thank you............
I never see you deal with internal filters. Is that just a European thing? Just wondering. The most popular and available filter here in Romania is an internal filter. I mean, the process is the same but I just think it is interesting that most American hobbyists never mention internal filters.
As John said, starter kits come with a hang on back with replaceable cartridges (they create future sales for the store) and most people stick with them. If they expand in the hobby it is often for bigger tanks and then HOB or cannister are usually needed. Internal filters work well but take up space in the tank. HOB and canisters do not take up space so there are not a lot of internal filters in use other than sponge or specialized situations like maybe betta, shrimp or breeding tanks.
internal filter is sponge filter
I replace my sponges in my canister filter every 6 months because it's stupidly heavy plus I have a knee problem due to my past sports injury, and I'm just early 20's years old🤣🤣🤣 btw thank you john, it has already past a year now since I started getting into this hobby, I've watched a lot of your informative videos, from my bare bottom small aquarium until my planted 3ft tank today..
Oh goodness, I’ve been very lucky then. I totally clean mine about every other month. When I do, I do not vacuum the rocks or clean the tank deco. From now on I’ll do this. My Raphael cat fish is 10 yrs and I’ve had him 5 yrs now. He seems good and healthy thank goodness 😅
Thanks John for the info. Love your videos
I love my canister filter. It's worth the time.
Great video.
This is awesome info thank you sir 😊 I have a 20 gallon starter kit water looks awesome I clean filter once a month if. This was extremely helpful. I'm a beginner fish keeper. Fish doing great 👍 thanks
Maaaaaaan, My maaaaannnn, cmooooonnn THE KITCHEN SINK!?!?! You're killing me smalls, you're really killing me.
Please advise? I have just purchased a Fumak Submersible Fillter. Not a Flumak for my 2 cool Red Eared Sliders. Anyways, How do I clean this Canister? I can't find the pamphlet, nothing online? I think I should be getting more pressure behind the flow? Also I thought if I take it out of the Water a bit, the nozzle should shoot water but nothing happens when the Canister is still under water? Please advise? I always had Back Drop Filters but was disappointed. This is cleaning their green water awesome. Just seems clogged to me. I have the air hose hanging off the side as should be. I only get a gentle bubble with a 3 inch span of water forcing out?
I rinse my filters in separate bucket amounts of aquarium water. That way it squeezes clean. I’m wondering if I’m squeezing too vigorously though, b/c I’m getting white cloudiness that last a couple of days.
The OASE canister filters come with a pre filter, that you just unlock and remove, it's vertical column shape, and you don't even have to move the cannister itself. I've found that you can leave the cannister untouched for maybe over a year, depending on the amount and size of fish, just by cleaning the pre filter. Check it up if you haven't already ;)
I don't agree with using tap water on your filters ever just squeeze into tank water empty fill bucket again with tank water
Love your comment at 2:39, sad, but so true...Great vid John...I have 2 Seachem Tidal 110s on both my 100g acrylic tanks, clean filters / media ( with tank water ) every couple of months. The 2 filters on each tank are turning 900 gals an hour (21,600 gals in a 24 hour period) in my moderately stocked all male cichlid tanks. My tanks are crystal clear all the time...Canister filters, had them, done with them...Thanks John & Lisa, keep the vids coming...
Canister filters a pain for moving around? Haven’t you a machine for it? I have and it’s called HUSBAND. 😹
I rinse my sponges (Sponge filter, Hamburger Mattenfilter, Aquaclear and big Eheim) in my special buckets: I have heavily planted aquariums without fish (only snails). They need it.
Purigen: I don’t use it as it filters very important humin and tannins out of the water. My fish (soft water!) need these two ingredients. Black water is not possible with purigen. Unfortunately. But matrix is ok.
I have a 5 gallon tank and I'm using Top Fin Silentstream 10 Power Filter with cartridge. Would I clean the cartridge the same way? You're saying good stuff is stored in the filter, so when do you ever replace the filter? or what would I do to prep for a new filter?
10:28..... I see you have poor body mechanics. Lift with your knees. Your back will thank you for it.
Hi, great vids, awesome advise! How long would you wait to clean a second FX6 filter after cleaning the first filter? I have a 225 with five Oscars and a Pleco and was wondering how long I should wait to clean the second FX6 filter to give time for the first to build good bacteria. Keep the vids coming! Thank you. Mike
Lol I solved the issue the LRB way. Only 2 of my tanks have filters now of any sort. they're 55 gallons . And I'll be taking the filters out of them next week. Full disclosure all my tanks are incredibly heavily planted. And my substrate Has an incredibly high surface area it's a type of lava rock called shadowbark, Over several inches Of course grade blasting sand. Current count 8 10 gallon, 8 5 and a 1/2 gallon For spawning. 9 40 breeders.
Hang on the back filter is covered in green (I don't know, algae) and there are plant (branches?) that are now flailing out of the water pump.. It just doesn't look healthy. I know nothing about fish or their tanks. Maybe it's a 5 gallon tank with 1 incredibly tiny fish.
When it comes time to clean the filter, the glass (outside), hood and underneath the glass top get cleaned as well, maybe a scrape on the algae if the little guys have gotten slack about it. All of this during a water change, so I don't have to disturb as much. I'll usually do a small gravel vac too, if needed. Dirty water goes in the plants.
I don’t touch my canisters until the flow slows down and HOBs I don’t touch u til they start to go in the overflow part.
8:57 so when you wash that sponge with sink water which sink water contains chlorine....etc so what you do with the sponge after washing? of course it's not right to put the sponge in filter immediately and turn the filter on.
I really love that Bachir you have. What size tank is that and what other fish you got other than the Oscar I saw.
Severums 🙂
In that tank they have 2 bichir, I think 3 oscars and the severums. I think it's a 360 gal. It's the one behind John in all the live streams for the last year or so.
@@catwomanva thanks;) the day I go higher than 55gal I would love to get some Bachirs.
@@DLMyth2 Make sure its a really big tank... They can easily get to 2ft in length (I think with John's two, one is about a foot and the other is about 14in so far) and some can even get to 3ft. Plus, they can jump to their deaths, so a super sturdy lid is required.
@@catwomanva Thanks for the information. Some planning will need to happen before I go all the way and get it. I already know of a store that sell baby Bachirs. Just need to figure out where I'll put the tank, plants, caves etc.
Ty for this one bud.
Off subject, sorry But yesterday evening feeling pleased with myself having done partial water change for boys (Bettas) I noticed pool of water round my old girls tank ( 200lt planted and inhabited by now fairly elderly danios) mopped up hoping maybe there was an explanation other than the obvious sadly there wasn't. Made many mistakes transfering to spare 54l the biggest being put gravel in bucket put new tank in situ then add gravel!! . Whilst it seems small it weighs a ton a I can now barely move. My main query is never really having reason to do so before. How in the world are you supposed to bloody catch them took me forever. Will get them bigger home when I can eventually move but not sure I can face it again 😳
Not going to make any commercial for a specific manufacturer, but I got a couple of canister filters. I am using intake sponge filters and I clean them every two weeks. Over the years I expanded the cleaning cycle for the canister filter itself and by now I am at three years! YES, THREE YEARS and its still looking ok. As a disclaimer I have to say that I dont have tons of fish in my tanks. Also I have teresstial plants on all my tanks, they really help cleaning the water.
I am hoping you can help me. I can't find any info on mysterious white, almost sand gradual sized speckles sticking (or growing) on the interior of my canister filter. I have never seen anything like this before. And I did just add some new, almost pumice type, multi shaped filter media. I did rinse it well and soaked it in fish water first. I wish i could attach a pic here so you could see what I'm trying to explain. If you have any insight could you educate me? Thanks for your time.
UGF with Malaysian Trumpet snails and lots of plants, been running for years - haven't had to break it down to clean yet - just gravel vac when suspended particulates are noticeable in the water column 💕👍
Interestingly, HOTB filters are not commonplace in the UK. Starter kits in small tanks have an internal filter and larger ones have a cannister here.
You hardly see HOTB.
Great video like always, we clean out our hob and sponge filter once a week during our water changes. Will try using tap water to clean out the sponges, thanks
At 8:50, aren't you supposed to clean the bio sponge in fish tank water to preserve the beneficial bacteria?
how often do yall change out filter cartridges? the box says to change it every 2 weeks or so but ive seen people say they only change it when the cartridge is torn. what works best ?
I think it's pretty bizarre that hobbyists are so focused on the beneficial flora of the filter.
The filter material is just one thing in the tank. There is so much surface area for bacteria elsewhere in the tank.
I think this fear of cleaning the filters may be partly because some people really may have a pretty bare tank otherwise. No substrate, no plants, no wood erc.
If there's nothing else porous in the tank then sure, then it makes sense to cling onto that filter flora.
But that will eventually then just lead to the filter getting blocked, and tank running on reduced filtration which can eventually cause a disaster in the tank.
Just make sure there's porous ground elsewhere in the tank for bacteria to grow, and rinse the filter of all the gunk regularily so that it will keep running without problem.
If you're really scared of destroying the balance, then clean parts of the filter instead of the entire thing. And next time, clean whatever you did not touch last time 🤷🏼
Just make sure the filter has no change to dry out, that's the fastest way to wreak havock. Keep it in water while you're cleaning it.
John Is It Okay To Use Dechlorinated Tapewater To Clean Filter Media?
Good video/info. I tend to be on the cleaning too much side, but after watching a few more videos on this issue, I’m learning to let some debris. Swapped out my replaceable cartridges with coarse sponges from Aquarium Coop.
Your videos are always so informative. Thank you!!
I was gifted a 20 gallon tank with a Eclipse hood filter system.. they no longer make filter cartridges for it that I can find. Any suggestions on what I can use for it?
I have used the seachem tidal 55 after issues with the Marineland . I love this filter. I do with there was more room for media, but it all works great. Best feature is no priming. I had a pump that wrote out and they sent me a new one.
I have mystery snails and my hang on filter gets slimy every 2 days, so I'm cleaning regularly.
i have a a HOB cartridge filter - just to clarify, you just replace the cartridge outright? Do you have to worry about all the beneficial bacteria being thrown out ? (e.g. do you somehow introduce the new cartridge while the old one is still in there so it seeds with bacteria? )
I just watched another video of yours, you and your wife said 10,000 times to NOT go to the sink. So which one is correct? Just curious
Thank you!!
I am having an issue with my AquaClear. The basket keeps rising up and popping off the lid. I have a sponge, a thin water polishing pad, and bio filter on top. I thought it needed to be cleaned (I rinsed the sponge as you described and replaced the polishing pad) but the basket popped back up after a week. It causes the water to slowly leak out of the box.
Are you using the bio media beads that came with it? It sounds like it's not heavy enough to stay down.
@@tinabloomfield7228 no, I used MarinePure Gems, but maybe those aren’t heavy enough 🤔
Never had that problem myself, but if it is like my Fluval 30 gallon filter, perhaps the removable basket containing the sponge, ceramic biomedia, charcoal bag(..or whatever you have in the basket) has not been correctly locked inplace. Or is the media within the basket rising within the basket to push the lid up instead of the entire basket, itself rising?
I had the same problem a few times. I managed to avoid it by making sure the notches on the sides clicked onto the nubs. It's somewhat of a pain to do especially when the filter floss gets in the way. Good luck!
So why is everyone saying that replacing catrige will destroy tank cycle if bacteria is everywhere. Even without cleaning filter.. catrige is big problem according to some people. New tank owner here and in few days my head is more than full of informations what to do and what not to do lol.
Lift from the knees!!! Literally posture cringe on that can lift :D