Cleaning Filter Media After Cycle

[Megan33]

I've cycled my 190l freshwater tank, which took just over 5 weeks. I have sand and a few live plants. So 6 weeks on, I've got 2 baby fantails.
I have a juwel filter, which has all the media one on top of eachother. I haven't changed anything, apart from adding some matrix on week 4. The media is filthy. Should I rinse each piece in tank water and put it back? I'm worried about it messing up the perfect water condition I have

 

[grump299]

You should be ok to just give it a dip in some tank water to get the worst of the gunk off just don't be to harsh with it and you will be fine.. the sponges can give them a fast squeeze and put back

 

[Megan33]

Ok, I will be doing this tomorrow and wanted to double check.

 

[JenC]

Beneficial bacteria is hardy stuff. Don't be afraid to clean media in old tank water during water changes. I squeeze the heck out of my sponges and swish my bio media around to remove accumulated gunk.

I clean filter media every 1-2 months; some people do it weekly or quarterly. Everyone's tank and bioload is different so do it as often as your tank needs.

 

[Megan33]

I am afraid to squeeze sponges too hard or rinse too well. Think I'll do first alittle light handed since it's just been cycled.

 

[Skavatar]

just don't use tap water.

I replace my polyfill every week, and rinse out the ceramics, and sponges every week.

 

[grump299]

I only suggested to gently swish around bio media and squeeze sponges because it is a newly cycled tank only a couple weeks old.

 

[grump299]

I still think that is the best way for you to clean your filter and remember to test you perimeters the next day after cleaning

 

[JenC]

I only suggested to gently swish around bio media and squeeze sponges because it is a newly cycled tank only a couple weeks old.

It's not a bad suggestion, and folks are understandably wary in the beginning; I was too. But you really can't hurt the bacteria that way. It would be like if your kitchen sponge was full of e colI - you could completely wring it out but the e colI would still be there. Either way is fine, and I expect OP will be more comfortable cleaning media down the road when the tank's been established a while.

 

[Megan33]

Yes, I will get more comfortable.
I will test the water, probably before and a hour after to compare. I have a UV sterilizer, which I think has really helped with the water conditions and keeping my water clear. But its struggling Abit because of the media.

 

[Megan33]

The juwel large porous sponges(Nitrate,carbon etc) which are on the bottom of the filter, looked fine, so I didn't mess with them. The purigen and filter floss needed a good rinse,which are on top. So It wasn't as bad as I thought.
I did a quick 10% w/c to wash them in.
Before w/c Am 0, Nitrite 0.25, Nitrate 2.5
20mins after w/c Am 0, Nitrate 0, Nitate 0
So perfect!
See how the water parameters are this week with the 2 babies. If all is well, I will get some oranda babies. I'm trying not to add 2 many too quickly but it's so **** hard.

 

[grump299]

If I am reading it right if you have 0ppm ammonia/0ppm nitrite/0ppm nitrate then your tank is not cycled. You should watch for ammonia spikes check every day and dose with prime as needled

 

[Megan33]

Sorry about the Mis-spell of Nitrite and Nitrate
Tank is cycled. I did the 24 hour ammonia and nitrite test 3 days in a row at the end of cycle
I test twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, everyday. Even before I got fish!!
The 0 readings are 20 mins after a small water change and rinsing out top media.
I have a good helping of matrix in my filter and this contributes a lot to removing the nitrites and Nitrates.

 

[Megan33]

I also dose with prime!

 

[grump299]

Ok like said I read it wrong but I seen you have 0ppm nitrates and you should have some nitrates if you are cycled. Just keep a watch on it and keep up the good work.

 

[Megan33]

I definitely will!