Cleaning/ Changing filter media

[Cdbaby123]

I watched in a you tube video that when cycling a tank with or with out fish in it you should leave the media filter alone because this is where good bacteria lives. While cycling a tank with fish should I I change or clean out the filter?

 

[Mandy627]

No, if you are cycling with fish you need to do regular weekly water changes because cleaning the filter media will wipe out good bacteria and that is what is cycling the tank! I did that once by washing filter and caused an ammonia spike.

 

[NickGNz]

Don’t wash or change the filter media until the tank is cycled, once it is cycled then only wash the filter media in tank water when you do a water change/clean.

 

[Cdbaby123]

Don’t wash or change the filter media until the tank is cycled, once it is cycled then only wash the filter media in tank water when you do a water change/clean.

So I should clean it in the tank water or clean it in the sink and put back in when I clean it... sorry I am new to this and want to make sure I do it right.

 

[kallililly1973]

Get a bucket of old tank water and swish your filter media around in that then put it back into your filter. No need to clean it in the sink it may kill off some of your BB

 

[Cdbaby123]

So I posted another post about how there is a smell coming from the filter but I do not think I am getting the information I am looking for. On this post I am told not to clean the filter or replace it until I cycle because I do not want to remove beneficial bacteria, but on my other post they say to add carbon. Well Carbon is a filter so I would have to change the filter, no?
I am so confused. Please help.

 

[clark12]

carbon is included in your filtration system for clear water and to get rid of smells. it will remove medications and colored water from meds also. it keeps your water sparkling clean. it does a lot but this is in a nutshell. your sponge is where your good bacteria is living and growing, not in your carbon. don't clean your sponges in tap water or at all during cycling. your carbon should be changed out every now and then and its fairly cheap if you buy media bags and a bulk container of activated carbon. I'm not a pro but ive been through some tough time with the tanks. hope this helped

is your carbon included with your filter as an all-in-one cartridge?
if so that explains your confusion

 

[Cdbaby123]

carbon is included in your filtration system for clear water and to get rid of smells. it will remove medications and colored water from meds also. it keeps your water sparkling clean. it does a lot but this is in a nutshell. your sponge is where your good bacteria is living and growing, not in your carbon. don't clean your sponges in tap water or at all during cycling. your carbon should be changed out every now and then and its fairly cheap if you buy media bags and a bulk container of activated carbon. I'm not a pro but ive been through some tough time with the tanks. hope this helped

is your carbon included with your filter as an all-in-one cartridge?
if so that explains your confusion

I have an aqueon quiet flow 10. It has a an enhanced five-stage filtration process including; mechanical, chemical (carbon), biological, stationary wet/dry, and specialty media (ammonia / phosphate). Not sure where the sponge is..... only 2 removable filter pieces. The filter cartridge and the ammonia/ phosphate filter....

 

[clark12]

I have an aqueon quiet flow 10. It has a an enhanced five-stage filtration process including; mechanical, chemical (carbon), biological, stationary wet/dry, and specialty media (ammonia / phosphate). Not sure where the sponge is..... only 2 removable filter pieces. The filter cartridge and the ammonia/ phosphate filter....

I believe this is where some of your confusion is. you have an "all in one" filter media . the floss on the outside is your filter is to catch debris and polish your water and the carbon is inside of it is your chemical filtration. if you had a more complex filter system there will be more customizable trays or pieces involved like sponges and bioballs or ceramic rings of some sort for harboring this good bacteria and areas for layers of filter floss. in this case you would be able to remove the carbon so you could treat with meds or refresh your carbon when its depleted and not get rid of your good bacteria. and during water changes you can remove your floss and replace with a course layer and a finer polishing floss. its just the setup you have. I'm not saying its a bad set up but what ever good bacteria grows on that set up will be gone every time you change it. there will still be good bacteria on your glass, in your substrate and on your decorations but the filter media I think should be your main area to accumulate beneficial bacteria. there are some cheap options for hang on the back filters that have customizable trays. if you are new at this hobby (and again I am still learning myself) you will find that you learn about better components and end up with enough stuff on your shelf to open a bargain tank shop. research before you buy things and ask on this forum because if there's deals to be had these people will know.

 

[Cdbaby123]

I believe this is where some of your confusion is. you have an "all in one" filter media . the floss on the outside is your filter is to catch debris and polish your water and the carbon is inside of it is your chemical filtration. if you had a more complex filter system there will be more customizable trays or pieces involved like sponges and bioballs or ceramic rings of some sort for harboring this good bacteria and areas for layers of filter floss. in this case you would be able to remove the carbon so you could treat with meds or refresh your carbon when its depleted and not get rid of your good bacteria. and during water changes you can remove your floss and replace with a course layer and a finer polishing floss. its just the setup you have. I'm not saying its a bad set up but what ever good bacteria grows on that set up will be gone every time you change it. there will still be good bacteria on your glass, in your substrate and on your decorations but the filter media I think should be your main area to accumulate beneficial bacteria. there are some cheap options for hang on the back filters that have customizable trays. if you are new at this hobby (and again I am still learning myself) you will find that you learn about better components and end up with enough stuff on your shelf to open a bargain tank shop. research before you buy things and ask on this forum because if there's deals to be had these people will know.

Yeah that all just confused me more... Do I need a different filter?
How should I handle the smell? Can I rinse the carbon filter or not while cycling? Am I going to have to cycle all over again when I have to change it?

 

[Cdbaby123]

...

 

[clark12]

Yeah that all just confused me more... Do I need a different filter?
How should I handle the smell? Can I rinse the carbon filter or not while cycling? Am I going to have to cycle all over again when I have to change it?

do not rinse the filter while cycling. check out the aqua clear 20 on amazon $28. here you will see the different removable media. I have a few of these and the only thing I don't like is you have to add water to the container to prime the pump after a water change but really nice filter for cheap. the carbon should remove the smell.

have you added tetra safe start plus?
petsmart or petco carry this. its loaded with good bacteria. empty the whole bottle sized slightly larger than your aquarium volume. just follow the directions and its like magic. some here are only about fishless cycle but if you already have fish then this is the ticket. in a few days you are all set.

 

[Cdbaby123]

do not rinse the filter while cycling. check out the aqua clear 20 on amazon $28. here you will see the different removable media. I have a few of these and the only thing I don't like is you have to add water to the container to prime the pump after a water change but really nice filter for cheap. the carbon should remove the smell.

have you added tetra safe start plus?
petsmart or petco carry this. its loaded with good bacteria. empty the whole bottle sized slightly larger than your aquarium volume. just follow the directions and its like magic. some here are only about fishless cycle but if you already have fish then this is the ticket. in a few days you are all set.

I have used the TSS+ and it seems to be helping. My husband will kill me if I get a new filter right now. Will just have to wait for the cycle to finish to clean filter...

 

[clark12]

good luck!

 

[Jaykay1stBetta]

Get a bucket of old tank water and swish your filter media around in that then put it back into your filter. No need to clean it in the sink it may kill off some of your BB

Yes do not rinse your filter off under the sink. I just swish mine around in the old tank water when I do water changes so I don't loe all the good bacteria I've been working so hard to build up