Confused About Cleaning my Cycled Tank

Hi,

My tank has been cycled for about 4 months now. Today I'm doing a water change. The HOB filter media (sponge with biomax and matrix) are getting icky. The tubing also has brown algae. I've read not to clean the filter and I'm a bit confused. I've read rinsing in aquarium water is what you should do, but save the sponge.

My main question is this: How much can be cleaned wo having cycling issues? Will rinsing out the filter and sponge be okay? Rinsing off the biomax be okay? Can I rinse the aquarium decorations at every water change and wipe down the glass? Or do I only clean partially each time?

Usually, I just rinse the decorations, wipe down the walls and do a partial water change. But today I really wanted to clean the gross looking filter and rinse the media.

Also, how the heck do I get the algae out of the HOB tubing? Is there a tool for this. Qtips are not long enough.

Thanks you!

 

If you want to rinse the sponge the best way to do it without killing the bacteria is to swish it around in a bucket of dirty tank water (after water change). This allows the sponge to keep the necessary bacteria, while rinsing it out a bit. I would not rinse the decorations at every water change but instead stagger them. So maybe this week you rinse one of the decorations and in a few weeks you rinse another one and so on . This keeps the beneficial bacteria in the tank.

 

HI there,

After 4 months into cycling, I think you'll be fine cleaning the filter. Anyway, you have to clean it otherwise the detritus is breaking down and contributing to fouling the water. Don't get too zealous in your cleaning tho.

I would suggest a 2nd filter as a back up, especially if you have a lot of fish in the tank and your filter isn't super powerful.

As for cleaning the tubing, this was recommended by another Fishlorian, it's done the job, I love it!

https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Perfect-Cleaning-Interior-Assorted/dp/B008LR2KCA

 

Sounds like you and I have the same filter. The Aquaclear? Squeezing out the sponge in dirty tank water to get the gunk out of it is a good idea. Also, pour the dirty water out of the filter itself. You would not believe how much stuff collects in there! To get the algae out of the tube, I found a set of aquarium cleaning brushes on Amazon. Just the right size. Sorry I don't know how to send a link. Good luck!

 

Sounds like you and I have the same filter. The Aquaclear? Squeezing out the sponge in dirty tank water to get the gunk out of it is a good idea. Also, pour the dirty water out of the filter itself. You would not believe how much stuff collects in there! To get the algae out of the tube, I found a set of aquarium cleaning brushes on Amazon. Just the right size. There are 5 brushes long to short with white bristles. Sorry I don't know how to send a link. Good luck!

 

Thanks everyone. I hope I didn't clean too much. I rinsed the filter out, and swooshed the media around in the old aquarium water. I rinsed all the decorations, except 1, and I did a partial gravel.

I should ask this other question: Do I ever change the filter media inside the filter? The sponge or the filter rocks? I know those are very important but won't there be a point they get too worn out?

This is the filter I have (5 gallon tank, 1 betta):
Azoo Mignon Filter 150 Power Filter

 

What's the tank size and how many fish you got in there?

The (mechanical filter?) sponge you keep for a long time before it starts to wear down. And the 'filter rocks' you mean biomedia? That you don't ever have to replace unless they dissolve over time.

 

You don't need to replace them until they are quite literally falling apart. When the time comes replace one, wait a few weeks, then replace the other. And before you put in a new sponge or media, rinse it in old water first, like today.

 

Thanks. @ Chuck, it's a 5 gallon tank, 1 betta.

 

I think for your tank and your 1 fish, 1 filter should suffice.